In the suburbs of Atlanta, on a March day in 2015, the life of Anthony Hill, a 26-year-old Black male and U.S. Air Force veteran, came to a sudden and tragic end. Hill, who had served in Afghanistan, was reportedly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. On March 9th, he was experiencing a mental health crisis. His neighbors at the Heights of Chamblee apartment complex noticed his erratic behavior; he was knocking on doors, crawling on the ground, and was completely
naked. A call was made to 911, not for a criminal, but for someone in need of medical help.
DeKalb County Police Officer Robert 'Chip' Olsen, a seven-year veteran of the force, was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, he found Hill in the parking lot, unarmed and unclothed. Witnesses stated that as Olsen's patrol car approached, Hill began to run towards it. Olsen exited his vehicle and ordered Hill to stop. When Hill continued to advance, Olsen fired two shots, striking him in the chest and neck. Anthony Hill died at the scene. Though Olsen was equipped with a Taser and pepper spray, he chose to use his firearm.
The shooting immediately sparked protests and raised questions about the use of lethal force, particularly against individuals in the midst of a mental health crisis. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the inquiry into the fatal shooting. In January 2016, a grand jury indicted Olsen on multiple charges, including felony murder, aggravated assault, and violation of his oath of office. He pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defense, fearing for his life.
The legal proceedings that followed were lengthy and complex. After several delays, Olsen's trial began in September 2019. In October of that year, a jury acquitted him of the murder charges but found him guilty of aggravated assault, two counts of violating his oath of office, and one count of making a false statement. He was subsequently sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, in March 2024, an appellate court overturned these convictions. In a final turn of events, in May 2025, Olsen entered a negotiated guilty plea to aggravated assault and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with credit for time already served.
