Federal judge clears ex-Atlanta officer in shooting case

A federal judge has tossed out charges against a former Atlanta cop, proving once again that justice favors those who follow protocol.

Fox News reported that on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Michael Brown ruled that Sung Kim’s actions in the 2019 shooting of Jimmy Atchison were textbook self-defense. The decision slams the door on a misguided prosecution that dragged on for years.

In January 2019, Kim, then part of the FBI Atlanta Violent Crime Task Force, was hunting for Atchison, a 21-year-old wanted for armed robbery.

The incident ended with Atchison dead and Kim indicted in 2022 for involuntary manslaughter, felony murder, and aggravated assault. Brown’s ruling, grounded in Supremacy Clause immunity and self-defense, exposes the folly of Fulton County’s overreach.

Atchison’s death sparked outrage, but the facts paint a tense scene. He fled from police at an apartment complex, hiding in a closet under a pile of clothes. Kim, doing his job, tracked him down in another woman’s apartment.

Officer Faces Life-or-Death Moment

Officers shouted for Atchison to surrender, but he stayed silent. Kim, gun drawn, ordered him to show his hands or stay still. Atchison’s sudden hand movement toward Kim’s face or chest triggered the fatal shot.

Kim believed Atchison was armed and about to fire. “The evidence for self-defense is so overwhelming,” Judge Brown declared, questioning why Georgia even pursued the case. Progressive prosecutors, it seems, prefer headlines over hard truths.

Brown’s ruling leaned on the Supremacy Clause immunity, which shields federal officers acting within their duties.

Kim’s actions, the judge found, were necessary and proper. This isn’t just a win for Kim—it’s a reminder that the law protects those who protect us.

Kim retired from the Atlanta Police Department months after the shooting. By December 2022, Fulton County’s DA slapped him with charges, ignoring the chaos of the moment. Actions have consequences, and so does prosecutorial overzealousness.

In March 2025, Kim’s legal team moved to dismiss the case. Don Samuel, Kim’s attorney, called the prosecution “an inexcusable abuse of discretion.” He’s right—chasing a cop for doing his job reeks of political posturing.

Samuel added, “It is hard to celebrate when a young man died,” but Brown’s ruling was clear: Kim acted in self-defense.

The tragedy of Atchison’s death doesn’t justify crucifying an officer who made a split-second call. Woke agendas can’t rewrite reality.

Family’s Grief, Misguided Crusade

Jimmy Hill, Atchison’s father, spoke in 2022 about his son’s death. “This is what we have been praying for,” he said, celebrating the indictment. His pain is real, but justice isn’t served by scapegoating Kim.

Hill also said, “I would never give up on justice for my son.” No father should have to bury his child, yet the evidence shows Kim faced a perceived threat. Grief doesn’t change facts.

The 2019 operation was no rogue mission. Kim, tasked with apprehending a fugitive, followed protocol in a high-stakes chase. Fulton County’s DA, however, saw a chance to score points with the activist crowd.

Brown’s dismissal rested on two pillars: self-defense and federal immunity. A state can’t prosecute a federal officer for authorized duties, especially when lives are on the line. Georgia’s case crumbled under this legal reality.

The ruling underscores a broader truth: law enforcement officers aren’t the enemy. Kim didn’t wake up in 2019 plotting to harm Atchison; he was serving a warrant. Painting him as a villain fuels division, not solutions.