The Atlanta police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Black man, who was unconscious in the drive-thru line at a Wendy's restaurant in 2020, is once again facing accusations of assaulting a bar worker in the Midtown neighborhood of the city.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, Officer Garrett Rolfe was involved in a bar altercation on Sunday morning, and the department has since placed him on paid administrative leave.

Local news station WSB-TV was informed by witnesses that Rolfe initiated the altercation with a bartender, Raefeal Penrice, over the cost of beverages. However, upon the arrival of the police, Penrice was the only individual apprehended.  

Rolfe's counsel claimed that the off-duty police officer was the victim; however, witnesses who desired to remain anonymous disagreed. They informed WSB that Rolfe's companion accused the bartender of overcharging for drinks. Penrice escorted the two men outside after an argument ensued.

 At that point, bystanders assert that Rolfe assaulted Penrice.

“This man was just doing his job. He watches the door and makes everyone feel safe, and I just can’t believe this has unfolded the way it has and it’s scary that law enforcement can do this,” a witness said, according to the outlet.

Cody Alcorn, an Atlanta journalist, interviewed witnesses at X Midtown and reported that some individuals were perplexed as to why Rolfe was not apprehended in conjunction with Penrice.

“He’s such a nice guy – he’s always made everyone feel very safe and I think it’s absolutely heinous that after several eyewitnesses told the arresting officers that it was in fact the off-duty police officer who threw the first punch, yet he was still the one taken to jail,” the bar owner told WSB.

This is not Rolfe's initial episode of administrative absence. After fatally shooting 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the back in June 2020, he was also placed on leave, which sparked widespread protests. The officer was initially terminated by the APD; however, he was subsequently reinstated in anticipation of the outcome of the criminal allegations against him.

CNN reports that Rolfe was initially charged with felony homicide, five counts of aggravated assault, four counts of violation of oath of office, and one count of criminal damage to property.

On June 12, 2020, the father of three young daughters and a 13-year-old stepson had fallen unconscious in his vehicle at a Wendy's located in close proximity to his residence. Rolfe and Officer Devin Brosnan conversed with Brooks for approximately 40 minutes upon their arrival, during which time Brooks was under the influence of alcohol.

Brooks was able to seize Brosnan's Taser by wrestling with the two officers during the attempted arrest, as evidenced by body camera footage. Brooks then attempted to abandon the scene by pointing the Taser behind him, as evidenced by the video.

Brooks was subsequently fatally shot by Rolfe. At the time, both Rolfe and Brosnan were apprehended and subsequently released on parole. Charges were ultimately dismissed against both individuals.

 This case has never been forgotten by the public.

“Justice for Rayshard Brooks! The streets aren’t safe with this racist cop on them,” one user on X posted.

Another user of X observed, "Not this cop again."

 Another post on X stated, “That cop should have never been cleared for that murder,” another post on X read. “How hard was it to get the man to move his car and not escalate this? Any one of us could have asked him nicely to get out of the fast food lane and he would have.”