Atlanta police chief steps down after officer-involved shooting of black man

The police chief of Atlanta, Georgia is stepping down following the Friday night shooting of a black man by city police amid nationwide racial unrest and protests over police brutality. 

Erika Shields is resigning from her position at the head of the city's police department, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms said on Saturday. 

Video circulating on social media Friday and Saturday appeared to show the shooting victim, identified as Rayshard Brooks, tussling with two officers, grabbing a Taser from one of them and attempting to flee before being gunned down by them.

Police on Saturday claimed that nearby surveillance footage shows that Brooks aimed the Taser at police before being shot. Residents had called the police after observing Brooks sleeping in his car in a fast-food parking lot. He reportedly failed a sobriety test and resisted the subsequent arrest, leading to the fatal altercation. 

Bottoms said on Saturday that Shields will remain employed by the city in another role. Rodney Bryant, previously the city's assistant police chief, will fill Shields's role until a permanent hire is made.