After a week of demands from activists and protesters, Phoenix police Tuesday identified the officer who shot and killed Rumain Brisbon, an unarmed black man, saying threats to the officer's safety had been resolved.
The officer was identified as Mark Rine, 30, a seven-year member of the force. Phoenix police said Brisbon, 34, was shot Dec. 2 after a struggle during which the white officer mistook a pill bottle in the father of four's pocket for a gun.
Sgt. Trent Crump, a spokesman for the Phoenix police, said Rine remains on desk duty while the shooting is investigated. "It has been seven days since the incident, and we didn't want to hold off on releasing the name any longer," Crump said. "He's now had time to mitigate any threats he might receive."
Religious and community leaders have been demanding the officer's name since the incident. Another rally had been planned for Tuesday night to call for him to be identified.
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— M. Alex Johnson with Reuters