Federal judge dismisses criminal charges against Atlanta police officer over death during arrest operation
Share this @internewscast.com

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A federal judge has dropped the criminal charges against a former Atlanta police officer related to the death of Jimmy Atchison. The judge determined that the actions taken by Sung Kim, which led to the shooting of the 21-year-old Black man during an arrest, were a clear case of self-defense.

U.S. District Judge Michael Brown stated on Tuesday that the self-defense evidence was so compelling that it was puzzling why the state of Georgia even filed these charges initially and pursued them for over two and a half years.

Sung Kim faced indictment in December 2022, facing charges such as involuntary manslaughter, felony murder, and aggravated assault following the 2019 incident where Atchison, wanted for armed robbery, was killed.

Brown’s ruling said Kim was a member of the FBI Atlanta Violent Crime Task Force and that Atchison fled from law enforcement when they showed up to take him into custody at an apartment complex in January that year. 

Jimmy Atchison's father holds a poster

Jimmy Hill, father of Jimmy Atchison, is seen holding a poster on March 8, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

Brown ultimately dismissed the charges on the basis of Supremacy Clause immunity and self-defense immunity. 

“It is hard to celebrate when a young man died; but there is no doubt that the decision of the Fulton County DA’s office to compound the tragedy by prosecuting Sung Kim was an inexcusable abuse of prosecutorial discretion,” Kim’s attorney, Don Samuel, told WSB-TV following the ruling. “Judge Brown’s decision was unambiguous: Sung Kim’s acted in self-defense.” 

When Kim was indicted in 2022, his father Jimmy Hill said “This is what we have been praying for, ever since that day Jimmy was taken from us.”  

“We have had marches, meetings, everything you can think of, to beg Fulton County to take action. I told the world I would never give up on justice for my son — no matter how long it took,” he added at the time, according to the Associated Press. 

Jimmy Hill in Atlanta

Jimmy Hill attends Brothas and Brews: Black Men’s Town Hall sponsored by Team Harris-Walz and the Democratic Party of Georgia at Atlantucky Brewing on Oct. 11, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Hill holds signs in memory of Jaylin McKenzie, who was killed by Memphis police officer in 2022, and his son Jimmy Atchison, who was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer in 2019.  (Julia Beverly/Getty Images)

Kim retired from the Atlanta Police Department months after the fatal shooting, WSB-TV reported. In March, his legal team sought to dismiss the charges, according to Fox5 Atlanta. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Portrait of Marlean Ames sitting in a chair in a law office.

Woman Wins Lawsuit in Case of ‘Reverse Discrimination’ After Being Unfairly Denied Job Opportunity

A WOMAN who says she was passed over for a promotion because…
IDF Arming ISIS-Linked Groups in Gaza

Claims Surface Regarding IDF Supplying ISIS-Linked Groups in Gaza

On June 5, 2025, Avigdor Lieberman, head of Israel’s conservative Yisrael Beiteinu…
EXCLUSIVE: Fox hits streets of NJ with federal taskforce led by Alina Habba: 'You can run but you can't hide'

Exclusive: Alina Habba and Federal Taskforce Team Up with Fox for NJ Streets Operation: ‘You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An early morning raid…
Burned-out building in Pryluky, Chernihiv region.

Putin Launches Strikes on Ukraine, Killing 5 Including a Baby, Following Pledge to ‘Defy the World’

VLADIMIR Putin has killed five Ukrainian civilians in his latest overnight attacks…
ICE arrests in Chicago: Leaders call for investigation after multiple taken into custody in South Loop after receiving texts

ICE Arrests in Chicago Spark Leaders’ Call for Investigation After South Loop Detentions Following Text Alerts

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago leaders are demanding an investigation after agents detained…
Trump threatens to cut Musk’s government contracts as public feud escalates

Trump Considers Ending Government Contracts with Musk Amid Growing Dispute

The relationship between the president of the United States and the world’s…
SEPTA bus fire: Blaze that damaged 40 decommissioned buses at Philadelphia storage yard now under control

SEPTA Bus Yard Fire: Flames Engulf 40 Retired Buses in Philadelphia Storage Area, Now Contained

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A fire damaged 40 decommissioned SEPTA buses, including 15…
Jury finds Crosetti Brand guilty in murder trial for Edgewater, Chicago stabbing death of Jayden Perkins: LIVE

Jury Convicts Crosetti Brand of Murder in Edgewater, Chicago Stabbing of Jayden Perkins: LIVE Update

CHICAGO (WLS) — A jury reached a guilty verdict for Crosetti Brand…
Troubled ex-NFL star turned UFC fighter Greg Hardy arrested for allegedly assaulting family member

Former NFL Player and UFC Fighter Greg Hardy Detained on Suspicion of Family Member Assault

Troubled former NFL star turned UFC fighter Greg Hardy had been arrested…
King Charles, Prince Harry at point of 'no turning back' as monarch shuts door on reconciliation: report

Monarch and Prince at ‘No Turning Back’ Stage in Reconciliation Efforts: Report

The strained relationship between King Charles and Prince Harry has reportedly hit…
Halle Berry reveals shocking response to Van Hunt's proposal

Halle Berry shares surprising reaction to Van Hunt’s marriage proposal

Here comes the bride…eventually. During their first joint appearance on “Today with…
Detained Columbia graduate claims ‘irreparable harm’ to career and family as he pleads for release

Columbia Graduate, Detained, Appeals for Release Citing ‘Irreparable Harm’ to Career and Family

A Columbia graduate at risk of deportation due to his pro-Palestinian activism…