Family of Deacon Johnny Hollman, Killed by Atlanta Police Officer, Receives Multimillion-Dollar Settlement

The family of Johnny Hollman Sr., who on August 10, 2023, was arrested by Atlanta police officer Kiran Kimbrough and died after initially refusing to sign a traffic ticket, received a $3.8 million settlement from the city of Atlanta for the tragic incident that led to the death of the 62-year-old church deacon.

Hollman’s loved ones and loved ones were left broken after watching video of the patriarch’s death at the hands of an overzealous Atlanta police officer. Hollman, a church deacon at Lively Stones of God Ministries on MLK Jr. Dr. was driving home from Bible study when he was involved in a minor accident. After Atlanta police officers arrived on scene, they determined Hollman was at fault and arrested him when he allegedly refused to sign a ticket issued.

APD says Holman was charged while allegedly resisting arrest, although eyewitness accounts indicate Hollman was attempting to sign the ticket while handcuffed. The old deacon collapsed and later died.

In the body camera video, a frustrated Hollman argues with the officer, saying he was not responsible for the accident.

“You’re not going to yell at me. You understand what I’m telling you ? Now you’re either going to sign the ticket or you’re going to go to jail,” Officer Kiran Kimbrough told Hollman:

While repeating “sign the ticket,” Kimbrough attempts to hold on to Hollman, in what appears to be a struggle, and ends up forcing the 62-year-old to the ground.

“Why are you doing this to me, man? I’m an old man,” Hollman shouts as the officer draws his Taser.

The family hired civil rights attorney Mawuli Davis, a founding partner of the Davis Bozeman Johnson Law firm in Atlanta.

“All he did was disagree with the officer about the accident. As he reaches out to sign the ticket, the police officer grabs his arm and begins to take him into custody. He took him to the ground and you can hear Mr. Hollomon begging him to stop. He says, ‘I can’t breathe, please help me,'” Attorney Davis said.

The family wants Kimbrough, who was fired from APD, to be arrested and charged. “So many are being prosecuted for much less. He must be stopped. This arrest was the result of a hyper-aggressive Atlanta police culture that says, ‘I have the power and I won’t respect you,'” Davis said.

“This is the most senseless arrest I have ever seen in my entire career.” “He was killed because of a traffic ticket,” Davis added.

This is the second lawsuit filed by Johnny Hollman’s family. The first lawsuit was filed in DeKalb County state court against a tow truck driver involved in the incident and the towing company he worked for.

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