ATLANTA — Sung Kim, the Atlanta Police Officer who shot and killed 21-year-old Jimmy Atchison in January while he hid in a closet as police served a warrant for him in an armed robbery case, has left the force.
Atlanta Police confirmed to 11Alive that Kim retired on Wednesday after 26 years at the department.
His family always claimed Atchison was unarmed, however, it was never officially confirmed by authorities.
"We will not be commenting further on this personnel matter," police said.
RELATED: Atlanta NAACP: Lack of cooperation from US Attorney's office on Atchison police shooting case
Activists who have called for justice on Atchison's behalf characterized it as a resignation linked to the upcoming premiere of an episode of BET's "Copwatch America" that profiles the case.
Atchison's family has filed a $20 million lawsuit against the city of Atlanta and the FBI - with which Kim was working during the incident in cooperation with a federal task force - over his death.
The Atlanta Police Department pulled its officers off such federal task forces in the wake of the case.
“We want Sung Kim to be held accountable," attorney Gerald Griggs, who is representing the family, said in May. "We’ve tried to raise awareness about Jimmy’s case. The best way to do that is direct action, by bringing the community down and educating law enforcement. And, more importantly, educate the community that we are going to stand united."
The FBI said Atchison led agents on a chase through a building when they tried to serve the warrant. A witness has disputed that Atchison committed armed robbery.
Atchison was found inside a closet in an apartment and, at some point, was shot one time in the face, with the bullet entering around his eye area, according to attorney Gerald Griggs. No officers were wearing body cameras at the time of the shooting.
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