Ex-Officer Accused Of Shooting Unarmed Man Tremaine Miller Asks For Immunity

ATLANTA -- A former Atlanta police officer accused of shooting an unarmed man said he was defending himself.

Channel 2’s Rebecca Lindstrom went to an Atlanta courtroom where Tremaine Miller requested for immunity from prosecution Friday moing.

Miller’s father said Miller was at the City Views Apartments in May 2009 to check on a sick aunt when he was shot in the face. Reginald Fisher, an officer at the time, was in the area off-duty, working a security job.

Fisher told investigators he noticed Miller in a park known for drug sales near the apartment complex on Richardson Street. Fisher testified an encounter escalated after Miller parked illegally in a handicapped parking spot and ignored Fisher’s attempts to talk with him about it.

Fisher approached Miller's Dodge Charger with his weapon drawn and ordered Miller to put his hands in the air, authorities said. Fisher said he told authorities he thought Miller was reaching for a gun. But a witness said Miller was unarmed and complying with Fisher’s demands.

After the Fulton County District Attoey's Office found that the shooting was unjustified, Fisher was indicted by a grand jury and charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery and false imprisonment.

Reginald Fischer testified during a hearing on Friday, April 22, 2011 that he shot Tramaine Miller because he feared for his safety.