An Avondale Estates Police Car. Source: City of Avondale Estates, GA

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James has declined to charge Avondale Estates Police Sgt. Lynn Thomas in the 2013 shooting of Jayvis Benjamin.

“Sgt. Lynn Thomas shot and killed Jayvis Benjamin during a struggle on Jan. 18, 2013 near the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Kensington Road,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a press release. “Following a comprehensive investigation that was closed on Wednesday, the District Attorney’s Office determined that the shooting was justified. In addition to the District Attorney’s Office, the investigation included reviews by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and an outside expert with more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.”

Benjamin, who was unarmed, allegedly stole a car then attacked an officer after crashing into someone’s yard.

James faced criticism for waiting so long to bring the case to a resolution, even after the civil grand jury’s recommendation to bring the case to a criminal grand jury.

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