ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved a $3.8 million settlement regarding the death of a church deacon who died last year after being tased during an exchange with police. The council approved the settlement during Monday's meeting.
Johnny Hollman, 62, died due to the shock from a Taser, which sent him into Cardiac Dysrhythmia, an autopsy report revealed. His encounter with police happened on Aug. 10, 2023.
On that night, Hollman was driving along Cunningham Place in southwest Atlanta, when he got into an accident and he called the police. During the encounter, an officer determined Hollman was at fault for the crash and attempted to issue him a traffic citation.
The GBI previously said Hollman became "non-compliant" when the officer attempted to take him into custody. A Taser was then deployed as Hollman continued to resist arrest, the GBI said.
Atlanta Police previously described the encounter as "several minutes of struggling" between the deacon and the arresting officer. Hollman became unresponsive shortly after, and EMS was called to respond. Hollman was taken to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Aug. 11 shortly before 1 a.m., the medical examiner's report stated.
RELATED: 'Do something!' | Family speaks after bodycam video released in Johnny Hollman's police tasing death
Videos from the body camera worn by now-former Officer Kiran Kimbrough were eventually released by officials.
The officer was terminated over the incident for failing to "have a supervisor on the scene prior to proceeding with the physical arrest after Mr. Hollman refused to sign the citation." He has not been charged.
The resolution on the settlement states the plaintiffs have agreed to accept the amount. It will go to Hollman's estate.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement about the settlement:
“My thoughts remain with the Hollman family, and while nothing can undo what has been done, my priority was to get this family as close to full closure from this unfortunate tragedy as soon as possible.
“Significant changes to procedures following the incident have been made, which include the new CARES unit—whose first members’ training should conclude next month.”
The changes also included revising APD's procedures for traffic citations, allowing officers to write “refusal to sign” in the signature line, rather than make an arrest. Click here to read about other changes in the mayor's previous statement.
Hollman's daughter, Arnitra, thanked those who've supported her family in a statement.
“On behalf of my siblings and our entire family, we want to thank all the people across Atlanta who have supported us in our fight for justice for our father," she said. "The students, clergy, organizers, and artists who prayed, marched, and stood with us have been a true blessing. We are grateful that Mayor Dickens and the City Council have brought closure to this part of our fight for justice. We will continue to demand arrests of those responsible for our father’s death."
Attorney Mawuli Davis shared similar sentiments about the community support.
"Today’s resolution allows this family to focus on healing from the devastating and senseless loss of their beloved father This could only have been resolved with the support of the community," Davis said. "The people stood with this courageous family. Deacon Hollman was a son of Atlanta who loved this city, and his family has been fighting for the City to acknowledge that what happened to him should not have. While this part of their struggle is coming to a close, this fight for justice will not end until criminal charges are levied."