Police report sheds light on homeless man's death during encampment sweep

ATLANTA - A newly-released police report is shedding more light on the death of a man at a homeless encampment in Atlanta.

In the report obtained by FOX 5, an officer describes trying to pull Cornelius Taylor out of the collapsed tent after he was struck and killed by an Atlanta Public Works crew on Jan. 16.

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The backstory:

According to the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works, Taylor and a city vehicle were involved in a "tragic incident" on Old Wheat Street, close to Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center.

According to city officials, the crews were working to clear a homeless camp in the area. Atlanta police were also on the scene to assist with the operation.

Witnesses at the camp and homeless outreach groups told FOX 5 a truck ran over Taylor while he was in his tent.

One resident of the camp said that Taylor was asleep when city crews arrived at the camp and announced they were going to clear away the tents. 

Taylor later died at the hospital. 

What we know:

In the report, an Atlanta police officer said he went to spread the ashes from a burn barrel after the crew's "large earth-moving machine" removed debris and trash from the encampment.

While there, the officer says he noticed a man waving at him from a tent near where the machine had just been and quickly called for an ambulance.

The officer described Taylor as being "in clear distress" and that he had a "bloody nose," but did not note any other signs of physical injuries.

The officer wrote that Taylor told him "something had fallen on him," and they worked together to pull him out of the tent.

Once out of the collapsed structure, Taylor "declined quickly," the officer said. 

"His breathing deceased, and he was emitting foam from his mouth," the report reads.

The officer stayed with Taylor until medics rushed the man to Grady, where he was pronounced dead.   

What they're saying:

Following Taylor's death, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced that he would work with the City Council to temporarily pause homeless encampment sweeps while the city reevaluates its policies.

"Every life in this city matters to me. While we are still gathering all the facts, this terrible accident expresses the need to reevaluate and reassess our city's policies concerning homeless encampments and how we can better our unhoused population," Dickens said.

Speaking to FOX 5 on Monday, Darlene Haney, Taylor's sister, said the news of the pause was "bittersweet."

"I guess I can say I’m happy because it’s a start that we’re being heard, but the fact that it took my brother’s life to be heard wasn’t necessary," she said.

Cornelius Taylor funeral

Cornelius Taylor's funeral and burial fund information

The family is accepting donations through Willie Watkins Funeral Home and the Ebenezer Funeral Fund. Attorney Mawuli Davis says any leftover funds raised will go to support other homeless people in the area where Taylor died.

"Finances right now is the most difficult thing and publicly grieving. It’s overwhelming," Haney told FOX 5. "I’ll humble myself 10 times over to give my brother a proper burial."

If you’re interested in donating to the fundraiser, you can call Willie Watkins Funeral Home directly at (404) 758-1731.