Officers arrested the woman accused of setting fire to Atlanta Wendy’s where police shot Rayshard Brooks to death.
Natalie White, 29, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the arson fire that set the fast-food chain’s location on fire during the protests on Saturday, June 13, a day after Brooks was killed in her parking lot, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
Brooks had referred to White as his “girlfriend” during the June 12 traffic stop that ultimately led to his death, body camera images show. White’s attorney confirmed Tuesday that the two were “close friends,” but declined to comment further on their relationship.
An arrest warrant was issued for White on Saturday, about a week after he allegedly started the fire. The Atlanta fire department said it was difficult for its crews to fight the fire because they were greeted by protesters who blocked their path, according to the local NBC affiliate.
White’s apprehension comes the same day as Brooks’ funeral in Atlanta, where he was remembered as a hard-working family man who left three young daughters and a teenage stepson.
Brooks, 27, was shot dead by an Atlanta police officer during a chase with police in the restaurant parking lot. After failing a sobriety test, he ran off with an officer’s Taser.
When Brooks fled, he turned and pointed the Taser at Officer Garrett Rolfe, who then opened fire.
Rolfe, 27, was fired from the department and charged with murder. The second officer to respond, Devin Brosnan, 26, was placed on administrative duty and charged with aggravated assault in connection with the death.
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