Environmental activist shot 14 times by police at peaceful protest in 'Cop City'
An environmental activist was shot 14 times in the chest and eye during a peaceful protest at “Cop City”, it has emerged.
Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, also known as "Tortuguita”, was shot at the site of a planned Atlanta, US, $90million (£72million) public safety training in Atlanta’s South River Forest on January 18.
The activist's lawyer Brian Spears said the 26-year-old, who identified as non-binary and used they/them pronouns, was left with wounds to their left upper chest, abdomen, arms and leg.
Mr Spears said the autopsy identified 14 separate gunshot injuries to Manuel's body.
He said: “Manuel was shot so many times and by different firearms that the tracks of the bullets running through the body converge and intersect.
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"The autopsy identified 14 separate gunshot injuries."
Protestors have slammed the police after the Manuel was shot 14 times (ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Medical Examiner Dr. Kris Sperry, who carried out the autopsy, said the fatal wound which killed Manuel was the bullet which went through the activist's eye.
Mr Spears added: "The gunshot to the head would have killed them instantly but probably ... not before they were able to raise their hands and arms in front of their body."
During the protest, police arrested seven other activists who claim the cops went looking for trouble.
Manul's mum Belkis Teran has criticised police (Zuma Press/PA Images)Jeff Filipovits, a lawyer representing one of the activists, told NBC: "The forest was being cleared in an unprecedented crackdown against the protesters. The police went to the forest that morning planning for violence."
Cops stormed the forest on January 18 in a bid to clear the protestors who had camped out at the site.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation had claimed Manuel failed to comply with verbal commands from police officers trying to clear the area.
However, there is no body camera footage of the shooting of the officer.
Manuel's mum Belkis Teran, along with her lawyers, has criticised the police for not giving the grieving family answers.
Sister-in-law Fiona Paez shows her support for Manual during a family news conference (ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)She said: "I try to be strong, to continue Manuel's legacy. For the love of my family and for all of those who loved Manuel, I want answers for my child’s homicide. I’m asking for answers to my child’s homicide."
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Manuel had been protesting over the proposed project, which would have been built by Atlanta Police.
Environmental activists had been opposing the planned "Cop City" for the last year as it would involve cutting down dozens of trees and hurt the environment.
In addition, there were around 25 campsites removed from the protest as police recovered weapons, gas masks, a blow torch, pellet rifles and fireworks.
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