CRIME

Attorney: Witnesses say Georgia officer had time to retreat before shooting, killing naked man

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Carolyn Baylor Giummo, the mother of Anthony Hill, a naked, mentally ill man who was fatally shot by a police officer, speaks during an interview Wednesday, March 25, 2015, in Atlanta. An attorney for Hill’s family, Christopher Chestnut, says witness statements suggest DeKalb County police officer Robert Olsen could have retreated before fatally shooting Hill, 26, on March 9 while responding to a call reporting a suspicious person knocking on doors and crawling naked on the ground. (AP Photo/David Goldman) (The Associated Press)

Carolyn Baylor Giummo, right, the mother of Anthony Hill, a naked, mentally ill man who was fatally shot by a police officer, listens as attorney Christopher Chestnut gestures while speaking during an interview, Wednesday, March 25, 2015, in Atlanta. Chestnut says witness statements suggest DeKalb County police officer Robert Olsen could have retreated before fatally shooting Hill, 26, on March 9 while responding to a call reporting a suspicious person knocking on doors and crawling naked on the ground. (AP Photo/David Goldman) (The Associated Press)

A blanket decorated with the portrait of Anthony Hill rests on a table as Hill's mother Carolyn Baylor Giummo, left, and grandmother Theola Baylor, sit for an interview Wednesday, March 25, 2015, in Atlanta. An attorney for Hill’s family, Christopher Chestnut, says witness statements suggest DeKalb County police officer Robert Olsen could have retreated before fatally shooting Hill, 26, on March 9 while responding to a call reporting a suspicious person knocking on doors and crawling naked on the ground. (AP Photo/David Goldman) (The Associated Press)

An attorney says witness statements suggest a police officer in metro Atlanta could have retreated before fatally shooting a naked, mentally ill man.

DeKalb County police officer Robert Olsen shot 26-year-old Anthony Hill on March 9 while responding to a call reporting a suspicious person knocking on doors and crawling naked on the ground.

Hill's family said he suffered from bipolar disorder and had stopped taking medication.

An attorney for Hill's family, Christopher Chestnut, said witnesses indicate Olsen was about 180 feet from Hill when they first encountered each other. Chestnut said the distance shows Hill wasn't an immediate threat. The attorney says the officer should have had time to assess Hill's condition.

Chestnut says Hill walked toward the officer, who fired at close range.

Police declined to comment Wednesday.