Five Memphis Police Officers Indicted in Death of Tyre Nichols After Violent Confrontation
On Thursday, five officers of the Memphis Police Department were indicted with charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault-acting in concert, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct and one count of official oppression in the death of Tyre Nichols.[0] The 29-year-old Black man died three days after a traffic stop and a violent confrontation with police on Jan. 7.
Memphis Police released footage from four cameras that captured the fatal beating of Mr. Nichols.[1] Video from an officer’s body camera shows officers pulling Nichols from his car at Raines and Ross roads as he yells, “I didn’t do anything.”[2] After being pepper-sprayed in the face by an officer, Nichols managed to break free and flee.[3] The officer left behind in the pursuit could be overheard saying, “I hope they stomp his ass. I hope they stomp his ass.”[1]
At approximately three minutes into the video taken from the pole-camera, which has no sound, five officers can be seen restraining Nichols on the ground.[4] As Nichols attempted to stand, officers struck his head multiple times, and at least twice, one officer wound up to punch him in the head, while another used a baton. After some effort, the officers manage to get Nichols, who was cuffed and struggling, to a patrol car and prop him up against it. However, he kept slumping over. After being lifted up, officers are observed striking Nichols in the face multiple times while other officers are restraining his hands behind him. In the video, an officer can be seen pushing Nichols to the ground with what appears to be his knee or leg. Nichols is forcibly lifted by his shoulders and violently kicked in the face twice. Afterward, he is struck in the back with an object that appears to be a nightstick.[5] Not long after, he is struck once more[5]
The Memphis Fire Department confirmed Monday that two of their employees involved with the initial care of Tyre Nichols the day he was confronted by Memphis Police have been relieved of duty pending an investigation.[6] Video footage of the incident will be released around 6 p.m.[4] Friday at Central Time.[4]
Cerelyn “C.J.” is the Chief of[7] Davis said Wednesday night that more officers are under investigation in addition to the five charged.[8]
0. “Memphis Fire Department suspends 2 employees for involvement in Tyre Nichols death, pending investigation” WATN – Local 24, 23 Jan. 2023, https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/crime/mfd-suspends-2-employees-involvement-tyre-nichols-death/522-aa4229d1-263e-4ada-84c7-2651e73d9e37
1. “Tyre Nichols body cam footage released by Memphis police” Commercial Appeal, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/crime/2023/01/28/tyre-nichols-videos-released/69848091007/
2. “WATCH: Tyre Nichols protesters block freeway traffic in Memphis” Fox News, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/us/watch-tyre-nichols-protesters-block-freeway-traffic-in-memphis
3. “A Timeline of Tyre Nichols's Lethal Police Encounter” The New York Times, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/27/us/tyre-nichols-police-beating-timeline.html
4. “Videos Show Police Brutally Beating Tyre Nichols: Updates” New York Magazine, 28 Jan. 2023, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/01/videos-show-police-brutally-beating-tyre-nichols-updates.html
5. “A brutal beating. Cries for his mom. 23-minute delay in aid. Here are the key takeaways from the Tyre Nichols police videos” CNN, 28 Jan. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/28/us/tyre-nichols-beating-video-takeaways/index.html
6. “Memphis pastor says Tyre Nichols media coverage can raise emotions, awareness” NPR, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/01/27/1151957933/tyre-nichols-video-protest-
7. “Tyre Nichols death: How to mute words, manage videos on social media” Commercial Appeal, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/crime/2023/01/27/tyre-nichols-death-how-to-mute-words-manage-videos-navigate-social-media/69847348007/
8. “Skateboarders, activists, family gather to honor Tyre Nichols” Commercial Appeal, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2023/01/27/skateboarders-activists-family-gather-to-honor-tyre-nichols/69845353007/