Incoming DA vows faster action on police shootings

She’s tried to shield her from the circumstances of her father’s death, but Tyvonna Phillips suspects her 9-year-old granddaughter knows what happened the night nearly four years ago outside an Atlanta Police Department annex.

“She’s always writing in her journal about her daddy,” Phillips said. “It’s so sad.”

The little girl was just 5 years old when her father, DeAundre Phillips, 24, was killed following an altercation with Atlanta police Officer Yasin Abdulahad. Nearly four years later, the case remains in limbo.

It’s one of 43 police use of force investigations that remain unresolved under outgoing Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard. Some date as far back as 2016.

According to Atlanta police, Phillips tried to flee the annex on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway in a friend’s car after being questioned by Abdulahad, who said he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Fani Willis, who trounced her former boss in the runoff and faces no Republican opposition, said the Public Integrity Unit, which handles police shooting cases, will be a top priority once she becomes district attorney in January. She plans to bring in an entirely new team of lawyers and investigators to a re-branded anti-corruption unit. A nationwide search is underway to find a prosecutor to lead the team.

COBB COUNTY

is a 25% increase from the 2019 freshman class. KSU now has the largest freshman class enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in the state, the university said. In 2010, fall enrollment was just 23,000.

University spokeswoman Tammy Demel said about 27% of KSU’s undergraduate students are taking all of their classes virtually this semester.

KSU President Pamela Whitten said the growing enrollment reflects the variety of degrees and programs the university offers and “the dedication of our faculty and staff who work every day to ensure the success of students.”

The state’s four largest universities also reported new highs. Georgia State now has a record 54,000 students, including 5% more black freshmen.

Georgia Tech accepted 4,150 new students, and the University of Georgia reported 31% of new students identified as being part of a minority group.

ACROSS METRO ATLANTA

Here are other recent inspection scores for area restaurants.

Bartow County

■ Arby’s, 5655 Ga. 20, Cartersville. 96/A

■ Bojangles, 459 E. Main St., Cartersville. 87/B

■ Dairy Queen, 919 Joe Frank Harris Parkway, Cartersville. 96/A

■ Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 120 E. Main St., Cartersville. 83/B

■ Harris Five Forks Café, 10 Lowery Road, Kingston. 91/A

Fulton County

■ Bantam and Biddy, 1544 Piedmont Road, Atlanta. 91/A

■ Dragon House, 8390 Senoia Road, Fairburn. 89/B

■ New China, 920 Marietta Highway, Roswell. 96/A

■ Rain Thai & Sushi Bar, 2345 Cheshire BridgeRoad, Atlanta. 87/B

■ Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar, 1065 Peachtree St, Atlanta. 100/A

Fayette County

■ Gourmet Delight, 551 New Hope Road, Fayetteville. 100/A

■ LongHorn Steakhouse, 2633 Ga. 54, Peachtree City. 86/B

■ Taco Bell, 1140 Crosstown Court, Peachtree City. 100/A

■ Your Pie, 2015 Ga. 54 W., Peachtree City. 98/A

Cobb County

■ American Deli, 1651 Powder Springs Road, Marietta. 99/A

■ Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant, 617 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. 94/A

■ Gourmet Café & Subs, 1166 Franklin Gateway, Marietta. 80/B