Mayor's town hall interrupted by protesters

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Protests and a heavy police response at the Atlanta Mayor's Town Hall in southwest Atlanta Tuesday night. The outburst happened just after Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields was introduced and started speaking.

This meeting was the Cascade United Methodist, where the city leaders were met by a full house.

Neighbors were waiting with questions in hand for their chance to get some answers directly from the city leaders.

"A discussion on potholes in the city, potholes are really a problem here," one resident expressed.

"It's great to be here in southwest Atlanta," Mayor Kesha Lance Bottoms told the crowd.

After the introductions and opening remarks from several leaders, it was then time for Chief Shields to take the microphone, but her opening remarks were cut short.

"It's great to be here tonight…” the chief began being interrupted by chants from the back of the room.

Those chants: “No justice, no peace. No justice, no peace."

A group of protesters stood up, also chanting, “Justice for Jimmy,” referring to the officer-involved shooting of Jimmy Atchinson earlier this year. The shooting happened during a federal task force operation. An Atlanta Police officer was on that task force and reportedly shot 21-year-old Atchinson, who was said to be unarmed.

Mayor: "It is part of an FBI investigation and what we shared with the family on yesterday was that because this was part of a federal task force, unfortunately, the investigation is being handled by the FBI."

As the mayor worked to calm the crowd, police converged on the church parking lot and the protesters moved to the streets.

"We need justice right now, he has two kids, we need justice now," one protester told FOX 5 News.

The group carried signs and continued their protest outside. FOX 5 News did not witness any of the protesters being arrested.

Back inside, the meeting continued as planned with a noticeable police presence continuing through the evening.