Memphis Officers Charged with Murder of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols

OHMYGOSSIP – On January 10, 2023, Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died three days after being beaten by five Memphis Police Department officers during a traffic stop. On January 26, the five officers were arrested and charged with murder, kidnapping, assault, and misconduct. Two additional officers have been relieved of duty as the investigation continues, and three fire department personnel who responded to the scene have also been fired.

Nichols, who worked at FedEx and was the father of a 4-year-old boy, was remembered by friends and family as a joyful and spiritual person. He was an avid skateboarder and photographer, and was described as well-loved by those who knew him.

The police encounter on January 7 resulted in a “confrontation” and Nichols’ arrest, according to the Memphis Police Department. However, the director later stated that the initial report of reckless driving could not be substantiated. After being taken to the hospital in critical condition, Nichols passed away due to his injuries, which included cardiac arrest and kidney failure, according to his stepfather. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family showed that Nichols had suffered a severe beating.

Four videos of the incident were released, including footage from police body cameras and street surveillance cameras. The videos showed officers forcibly removing Nichols from his car, pepper spraying him, and beating him with a baton while he was restrained. The body camera footage also showed the officers pepper spraying and beating Nichols repeatedly until he collapsed.

The death of Tyre Nichols has sparked outrage and calls for justice, as the disturbing video footage of his violent arrest has been widely circulated. The five former Memphis police officers are now facing murder charges, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Featured image: Bodycam footage shows beating of Tyre Nichols (YouTube)

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The five Black police officers involved each had three to six years of experience. Some were members of the 30-person specialized hot spot policing unit known as SCORPION (Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace In Our Neighborhoods), a group of undercover officers assembled in October 2021 as a response team to deal with serious crimes. SCORPION officers drove unmarked cars and dressed in plainclothes, wearing bulletproof vests marked “POLICE”.

Tadarrius Bean, age 24, was hired in August 2020
Demetrius Haley, age 30, a former corrections officer, was hired in August 2020
Emmitt Martin III, age 30, was hired in March 2018
Desmond Mills Jr., age 32, a former jailer in Mississippi and Tennessee, was hired in March 2017
Justin Smith, age 28, was hired in March 2018

 

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