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By Natalie Venegas
Weekend Reporter
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What's New
The parents of Manuel "Tortuguita" Paez Terán, an activist fatally shot by Georgia state troopers near Atlanta's controversial "Cop City" site, have filed a lawsuit against law enforcement.
Why It Matters
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday against three officers, alleges they planned and executed the raid that led to Paez Terán's death on January 18, 2023. The 26-year-old environmental activist, who used they/them pronouns, was protesting the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, a facility critics have dubbed "Cop City."
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The site has drawn widespread opposition from environmentalists and civil rights advocates, sparking protests across the country.
What To Know
According to the family, officers escalated tensions unnecessarily by firing pepper balls into Paez Terán's tent during a "clearing operation" in the DeKalb County forest.
The lawsuit said that when Paez Terán "stated the desire to remain in the forest," Trooper Mark Lamb ordered Trooper Bryland Myers to fire pepper balls into the activist's tent, trapping the protester in an enclosed space with chemicals and making Paez Terán "reasonably believe that they were going to die."
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Lamb and Myers were among the six troopers who fired their guns at the activist with at least a dozen fatal shots after Paez Terán fired at them, officials have said.
Authorities claim Paez Terán opened fire first, wounding a trooper, a claim reinforced by ballistics reports showing the activist legally owned the weapon used.
However, the family disputes this narrative. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family concluded Paez Terán was in a cross-legged, seated position with their hands raised when shot.
The lawsuit also says GBI Special Agent Ryan Long planned a "raid" that targeted protesters for expressing their political beliefs, violating their First Amendment rights.
What Are People Saying
Family attorney Brian Spears at a press conference on Tuesday said: "The story of Manuel's death is still being written. The objective of this lawsuit is to learn the truth about who planned the raid and to hold them responsible."
Paez Terán's mother, Belkis Terán, described her child as deeply spiritual, someone who meditated daily and viewed the forest as sacred. Holding a turtle pendant in honor of Tortuguita — Spanish for "little turtle" — she vowed to continue seeking justice.
According to The Associated Press, a GBI spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation.
A Polarizing Movement and Growing Tensions
The killing of Paez Terángalvanized the "Stop Cop City" movement, which has gained momentum as a national symbol of resistance against police militarization and environmental destruction.
Activists claim the $115 million "Cop City" project will destroy vital forestland and exacerbate flooding risks in a majority-Black neighborhood. Atlanta officials, however, argue the facility will improve police training and morale.
Last year, over 100 demonstrators allegedly attacked the construction site, leading to arrests and federal charges, including racketeering and domestic terrorism—accusations civil rights lawyers call excessive.
"Forest defenders are not terrorists," said Joel Paez, Tortuguita's father. "They aren't. And my child was with individuals concerned against environmental injustice."
Meanwhile, body camera footage does not show the fatal shooting, fueling ongoing skepticism among activists and family members. In addition, despite public outcry, a prosecutor ruled the troopers' use of deadly force "objectively reasonable."
What Happens Next
While it is unclear what results could come out of the lawsuit, the GBI is expected to face renewed demands for transparency regarding their investigation and use-of-force policies.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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