An Atlanta police officer has been sacked following the fatal shooting of a black man outside a drive-through restaurant who had fallen asleep in his car.

Rayshard Brooks – a 27-year-old father – was shot in the car park of a Wendy’s in the US city on Friday night and later died in hospital.

Garrett Rolfe, a six-year veteran of the Atlanta police department, was dismissed, and a second officer, Devin Bronsan, who was hired in September 2018, was placed on administrative leave for their involvement in the death of Mr Brooks, police spokesperson Sergeant John Chafee said.

Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields had earlier resigned.

Investigators said Mr Brooks had grabbed an officer’s Taser during a struggle before being shot.

The force said officers were called to the scene after receiving reports of a man sleeping in his car and blocking other drivers.

Police also released body camera and dash cam footage of the incident which does not show the moment Mr Brooks was shot.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the shooting, said Mr Brooks had failed a test to assess whether he was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and then resisted officers’ attempts to arrest him.

The shooting sparked protests in the city and the Wendy’s restaurant was set on fire on Saturday night.

Footage showed small fires around the car park before another blaze appeared to start at an entrance to the restaurant, gradually engulfing most of the building.

Atlanta’s mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said: “I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force.

“Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as police chief so that the city may move forward with urgency in rebuilding the trust desperately needed in our communities.”

Ms Shields said: “Out of a deep and abiding love for this city and this department, I offered to step aside as police chief.

“I have faith in the mayor, and it is time for the city to move forward and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

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