GRAND JURY INDICTS BROTHER IN CONNECTION WITH FROZEN PALACE SHOOTING DEATH

CASE AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS CLOSED

District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the indictment today of 28-year old Roy Pettaway in the officer involved shooting that left his brother Ron Pettaway dead outside a South Fulton night club last year. Pettaway is charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of Obstruction of a Law Enforcement officer.

It began in the early morning hours of April 15, 2007 at the Frozen Palace Club on Old National Highway with an argument between the Pettaway brothers and two men, 30-year old Dessie Rollins and 33-year old Willie Miller. Witnesses say the argument spilled outside where Miller and Rollins were punched, kicked and spat upon by the Pettaways.

Once on the scene, Fulton County Police Officers Aissa Ware and Michael Wilson tried to cuff Ron Pettaway but he began tussling with them, broke away and attempted to flee. Officer Wilson chased Ron Pettaway who fell to the ground as he ran away. As he attempted to arise, Pettaway was ordered several times by Officer Wilson to "stay on the ground". Instead, Pettaway arose and charged the officers in what was described as a "football tackling position". Wilson fired twice as witnesses said Pettaway reached for the officer's weapon. The fatal shots were made to the head and shoulder of Ron Pettaway.

Roy Pettaway ran from the club in the direction of his brother Ron and was ordered to halt by Officer Aissa Ware. Officer Ware, hearing the shots fired by her colleague and believing her life was in danger, fired several shots, one of which struck the charging Roy Pettaway in the back.

The Grand Jury heard from several eye witnesses including the father of the Pettaway brothers who was not at the scene of the crime. Jurors concluded neither officer should be charged.

The case was investigated by the District Attorney's Office Public Integrity Unit.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov