ATLANTA — A woman who says she was a close friend of Rayshard Brooks remains in jail after investigators say she set the Wendy's on fire where Brooks died in southwest Atlanta.
Brooks was laid to rest Tuesday afternoon after police shot and killed him in the parking lot of the Wendy’s restaurant along University Avenue.
The attorney for Natalie White said White was close friends with Brooks, but the attorneys for Brooks’ family say they are unaware of any connection between the two.
White is accused of helping to set fire to the Wendy’s the night after Brooks was killed.
Protesters sent Channel 2′s Audrey Washington pictures and video of a woman using what appeared to be an aerosol can to spread the flames.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit said it was in talks with White’s attorney and with the district attorney’s office on Monday and Tuesday to negotiate White’s surrender.
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit just apprehended Wendys arson suspect Natalie White moments ago. White is being booked into the Fulton County Jail right now. This case is being investigated by @ATLFireRescue Arson Unit. @FGTV @FultonInfo
— Fulton Sheriff PIO (@FultonSheriff) June 23, 2020
Gwinnett County sheriff deputies said they located White at an office building in Fulton County and then notified the U.S. marshals.
Our GCSO Fugitive Unit's hard work paid off today when they located Natalie White today and notified US Marshals/Fulton Co Sheriff Fugitive Unit, who made the arrest. Great team effort! We appreciate @ATLFireRescue's great investigation, which led to the ID of this suspect. pic.twitter.com/i9Y1HNzhlo
— Gwinnett Sheriff's Office (@GwinnettSO) June 23, 2020
On police body camera video from the night he was killed, Brooks mentioned his girlfriend, who he said was named Natalie White.
“You know, Natalie White, she’s my girlfriend. She left off. I said, ‘Babe, I’m going to get Wendy’s,’” Brooks told the officer that night.
Investigators won’t comment on whether the suspect, Natalie White, is the same person Brooks mentioned.
White’s attorney said she was a close friend of Brooks.
Findling says Ms. White, a close friend of Rayshard Brooks, had no criminal record https://t.co/fT4NDqQLNk
— Mark Winne (@MarkWinneWSB) June 23, 2020
The attorneys for the Brooks’ family emailed Washington a statement saying:
In a statement from the attorneys for Brooks’ family, L. Chris Stewart and Justin Miller, sent Washington a statement saying:
"We are unaware of any connection between the Natalie White that was arrested today for arson and the Natalie White mentioned by Rayshard Brooks in the bodycam video.
“The only person who could answer questions regarding any connection they may have had is Natalie White.
“The family of Rayshard Brooks is still grieving his loss. He will be greatly missed by his widow Tomika Miller and their children, as well as his many family and friends.”
A group of about 50 protesters gathered Tuesday night outside the Fulton County Jail, demanding White be released.
RIGHT NOW:
— Audrey Washington (@AudreyWSBTV) June 24, 2020
Protesters gathering outside the Fulton County Jail, calling for the immediate release of Wendy’s arson suspect, Natalie White.
I’ll have the details, at 11.@wsbtv #RayshardBrooks pic.twitter.com/8OkGaymii2
Crowd growing larger and LOUDER outside the Fulton County Jail.
— Audrey Washington (@AudreyWSBTV) June 24, 2020
Now, sheriff deputies are standing guard in front of the jail entrance.@wsbtv #RayshadBrooks pic.twitter.com/6QZZFcirAZ
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office reports White is due to go before a judge Wednesday.
She faces first-degree arson charges.
There is at least one other suspect investigators are looking for in this case. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. There is currently a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
@StopCrimeATL is offering a $10,000 reward for information on the individuals responsible for starting a fire that led to the destruction of a Wendy’s restaurant at 125 University Avenue. Call 404-577-TIPS (8477) or submit information online at https://t.co/aS17unWjQi. pic.twitter.com/GsVaka56xT
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) June 14, 2020
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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