July 5, 2025: The Atlanta Police Department has placed Officer Garrett Rolfe on administrative leave following an altercation at a Midtown LGBTQ+ bar early Sunday morning. Rolfe, who was previously charged in the 2020 fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks, was off duty during the incident, which occurred at X Midtown on Piedmont Avenue.
According to police, Rolfe and another man, identified as Raefeael Penrice, were involved in a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical confrontation. Rolfe was at the bar as a customer when the situation unfolded.
911 Call Reveals Details
Authorities released the 911 call from the incident this week. In the recording, Penrice claims Rolfe and another man had been asked to leave the premises but refused.
“I have a guy here claiming to be APD, and he keeps following me,” Penrice told the dispatcher. “I’m in the back doing my job, like taking out the trash, and the guy followed me to the back of the alley and he has a phone on me—asking me all kinds of questions.”
Penrice also stated that Rolfe and the other man had been drinking and that one of them had “brandished something,” making him fear they may be armed.
At the end of the call, one man is heard confronting Penrice, stating he wasn’t allowed to “put your hands on somebody,” while the other argues that they were never asked to leave the bar.
Official Response
On Tuesday, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens acknowledged the situation and confirmed that he has spoken with Police Chief Darin Schierbaum.
“The Mayor has spoken to the Chief about this matter and expressed his concerns,” the Mayor’s Office said in a statement. “Anytime any employee—especially a police officer—is involved in any incident, he is concerned and expects a full and thorough impartial investigation. That is what is underway now.”
What’s Next
Raefeael Penrice was arrested and charged with simple battery and battery. He was booked into the Fulton County Jail. Officer Rolfe was placed on leave starting Sunday while the Atlanta Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards investigates.
As of now, no body camera footage of the incident has been released.