ATLANTA (February 2, 2023) | Georgia State Senators Gail Davenport (D – Jonesboro), Jason Esteves (D – Atlanta), Nabilah Islam (D – Lawrenceville), Kim Jackson (D – Stone Mountain), David Lucas (D – Macon), Josh McLaurin (D – Sandy Springs) and Nan Orrock (D – Atlanta) released the following statement in response to the incident that took place in Dekalb County late Wednesday evening on January 18, 2023:
“The events of January 18th, 2023, near the Boulder Walk neighborhood in Dekalb County at the site of the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center was a tragedy with many unanswered questions.
Any loss of life is tragic, and we are deeply saddened by the fatal shooting of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran. Our prayers are with his friends and family at this difficult time. Our prayers are also with the unidentified Georgia State Patrol Officer who was wounded in the line of duty during the same incident, and we wish them a successful and speedy recovery.
We believe there are many unanswered questions about what happened during the incident, and we encourage a thorough independent investigation to determine the facts. We are disappointed that there is no body-camera footage available and believe we must ask the hard questions about why that is and what we can do to ensure that such transparency and accountability is guaranteed going forward.
There is no room for violence in our community. The City of Atlanta has a long history of successful nonviolent civil disobedience. But it must remain peaceful, orderly, and disciplined.
As a community, we can disagree. It is our right, and it makes us stronger. Law enforcement has an obligation to respect and follow our hard earned civil rights laws. So too do those who wish to engage in protest and nonviolent civil disobedience.
We face difficult days of reconciliation ahead. We must all agree that there is no acceptable violence, and those who perpetrate such acts will be found and prosecuted. But we must also be measured in our use of the law to create order. Extreme charges and prosecutions will only exacerbate the conflict.
We are hopeful that answers will be found, and that the voices of those living in the communities most affected by this conflict will be listened to above all others. “
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Sen. Gail Davenport represents the 44th Senate District which includes portions of Clayton and DeKalb County. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5260 or by email at gail.davenport@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Jason Esteves represents the 6th Senate District which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached by phone at 404.463.1562 or by email at Jason.Esteves@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Nabilah Islam represents the 7th Senate District which includes a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5263 or by email at nabilah.islam@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Kim Jackson represents the 41st Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and a small portion Gwinnett County. She may be reached at her office at 404.656.6882 or by email at kim.jackson@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. David Lucas represents the 26th Senate District which includes Hancock, Johnson, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson County as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.5035 or via email at david.lucas@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Josh McLaurin represents the 14th Senate District which includes a portion of Fulton County. He may be reached by phone at 404.463.4228 or by email at josh.mclaurin@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Nan Orrock serves as the Democratic Caucus Secretary. She represents the 36th Senate District which includes portions of Fulton County. She may be reached at 404.463.8054 or by email at nan.orrock@senate.ga.gov.