Judge dismisses lawsuit over 'Cop City' protester's death

Ruling says troopers' actions were 'objectively reasonable' when they shot and killed Manuel Paez Terán during Atlanta protest

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:19pm

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A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed by the parents of Manuel Paez Terán, an environmental activist who was shot and killed by Georgia state troopers during a protest against the construction of the 'Cop City' police and firefighter training center in Atlanta. The judge ruled that the troopers' actions were 'objectively reasonable' after Paez Terán, who used they/them pronouns, shot and wounded a trooper.

Why it matters

The shooting of Paez Terán, known as 'Tortuguita,' was a galvanizing moment for the 'Stop Cop City' movement, which protested the construction of the sprawling police and firefighter training facility on the site of a forest and former prison farm. The judge's dismissal of the lawsuit is a setback for the activist's family and the broader movement against the controversial training center.

The details

According to the ruling, troopers were within their rights to fire pepper balls at Paez Terán after the activist, who was accused of criminal trespass, did not comply with orders to leave their tent. The judge said the troopers' lethal response was reasonable after Paez Terán fired at the troopers, wounding one of them. The judge also ruled that the officers had qualified immunity, which prevents people from suing over claims that police or government workers violated their constitutional rights.

  • The shooting of Manuel Paez Terán occurred on January 18, 2023.
  • The federal judge dismissed the civil rights lawsuit filed by Paez Terán's parents on April 1, 2026.

The players

Manuel Paez Terán

A 26-year-old environmental activist known as 'Tortuguita' who was shot and killed by Georgia state troopers during a protest against the 'Cop City' police and firefighter training center in Atlanta.

Belkis Terán and Joel Paez

The parents of Manuel Paez Terán, who filed a civil rights lawsuit over their child's death that was dismissed by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg

The federal judge who dismissed the civil rights lawsuit filed by Paez Terán's parents, ruling that the troopers' actions were 'objectively reasonable.'

Georgia State Patrol

The law enforcement agency whose troopers were involved in the shooting of Manuel Paez Terán during the 'Cop City' protest.

Stop Cop City

The movement that formed to protest the construction of the 'Cop City' police and firefighter training center in Atlanta, which they said would cause environmental damage and exacerbate flooding fears in a poor, majority-Black neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“They feel they are being denied the accountability they deserve. The records of their child's death still have not been publicly released. They will be reviewing all their legal options.”

— Jeff Filipovits and Wingo Smith, Attorneys for Paez Terán's parents

What’s next

Paez Terán's parents have indicated they will be reviewing all their legal options following the judge's dismissal of their civil rights lawsuit.

The takeaway

The judge's ruling dismissing the lawsuit over Paez Terán's death is a setback for the 'Stop Cop City' movement, which had hoped to hold law enforcement accountable for the activist's killing. The case highlights the challenges of overcoming qualified immunity protections for police, even in high-profile incidents of alleged excessive force.