", Authorities say 29-year-old Nichols was brutally beaten by five now-fired Black Memphis Police Department police officers during a traffic stop on January 7. Wake up to the day's most important news. Shoother an email atNFallert@usatoday.com orfollow along with her musings onTwitter. Hemphills attorney, Lee Gerald, confirmed Monday his client was at the scene of the traffic stop and had activated his body camera. 2023 alleged killing by police in Memphis, TN, U.S. On January 8, the MPD said Nichols had been stopped for. SIMPLY PUT - where we join the dots to inform and inspire you. Miami-Dade detectives and public . In Goodson's death, there was also no body camera footage, because Franklin County Sheriff's task force officers are not issued body cameras. They are appealing. Memphis Police Director Cerelyn CJ Davis has not said if an officer who was involved in the initial traffic and could be heard saying, I hope they stomp his ass as Nichols ran away has been disciplined. Hemphill was hired in 2018. "[98] On January 29, Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin said, "We need a national conversation about policing in a responsible, constitutional and humane way. Read more. He was was shot by Deputy James Meade who claims that Goodson was waving a gun around. Check your local forecast here. It doesn't mean that something didn't happen, but there's no proof. In the body camera footagethat was taken from Hemphill's point of view, After a brief chase, Hemphill, who is white, Tyre Nichols' parents to attend State of the Union, as tensions flareover an Iran drone strike, Photos: Most of the victims were policemen, may relegate him to the national GOP sidelines, Students lost months of learning due to COVID school closures, Here's where to buy Chiefs or Eagles apparel, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 7th officer relieved of duty, 3 first responders fired after Tyre Nichols death Nichols, 29, was pulled over on Jan. 7 for what police said was reckless driving. COLUMBUS, Ohio 10TV has learned the identity of the Columbus Division of Police officer who was relieved of duty Wednesday in connection to a fatal hit-and-run crash. Asked why the police department didn't announce disciplinary action against Hemphill the day it announced the firings of the five other officers, a police spokesperson said: "The other 5 officers names were announced when they were charged departmentally, then subsequently charged criminally. [64][65], On January 24, the five officers were arrested and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression. The five other police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Justin Smith, and Desmond Mills Jr. were fired and indicted last week on second-degree murder and other charges in connection with Nichols' death. Officer Hemphills name came out after it was heard in the video from the Tyre Nichols scene, that was released Friday evening. Contributing: Laura Testino,Memphis Commercial Appeal. [47] Both deputies have been in their positions since June 2021. His right hand was not visible. Officer Preston Hemphill was placed on paid leave over the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. City of Memphis [83] Nichols' funeral was held the next day at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis. The city braced for violent demonstrations after the footage of the incident was released on Friday, but the protests remained largely peaceful. Copyright 2023. Authorities announced that a total of seven Memphis Police officers were relieved of duty this month after law enforcement brutally beat, Tased and . Department spokesperson Christopher Williams could not say whether Hemphill is still receiving his salary. Officer Preston Hemphill was relieved of duty shortly after the Jan. 7 arrest of Nichols, who died three days later at a hospital, Memphis police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said. Nichols managed to run to his mothers neighborhood and was about 80 yards from her house when video captured multiple officers assaulting him as he repeatedly shouted, "Mom! Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for the Nichols family, issued a statement earlier in the day criticizing the police department. Bonner said he had concerns about two deputies who appeared on the scene following the physical confrontation between police and Tyre Nichols.. He died at a hospital three days later. [49][50] The released videos also did not corroborate the officers' claim that Nichols reached for their weapons. Two more Memphis police officers have been disciplined and three emergency responders fired in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols, officials said Monday, widening the circle of punishment for the shocking display of police brutality after video showed many more people failed to help him beyond the five officers accused of beating him to death. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Authorities announced that a total of seven Memphis Police officers wererelieved of duty this monthafterpolice officers brutally beat, Tased and pepper sprayed 29-year-old Tyre Nicholsafter pulling him over. "[86], On January 27, the police body-worn camera video footage of the incident was released to the public. An ambulance arrived at 9:02p.m. and took Nichols to St. Francis Hospital at 9:18p.m. after he complained of shortness of breath. [78] On the day of the video's release, FBI Director Christopher Wray said he was appalled by the video, and Patrick Yoes, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, stated that "The event as described to us does not constitute legitimate police work or a traffic stop gone wrong. [9][10][11], Nichols was raised in Sacramento, California, and moved to Memphis in 2020. Hemphill was hired in 2018. Updated on: January 30, 2023 / 7:25 PM / CBS News. Hemphill is white. On Saturday, Nichols stepfather, Rodney Wells, told The Associated Press that the family was going to continue to seek justice and get some more officers arrested., Questions were raised before the video was released, I raised those questions, Wells said. I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. The Memphis Police Department confirmed that officer Preston Hemphill, who is white, was "relieved of duty" and put on paid administrative leave "pending the outcome of the investigation.". The video was evocative of the arrest of George Floyd in 2020 and officers failure to intervene. On Monday, the department confirmed that a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, had been "relieved of duty," according to spokesperson Kimberly Elder. An officer involved in the arrest of Tyre Nichols a Black man who was severely beaten by police in Memphis, Tennessee, and later died has been "relieved of duty," authorities said on Monday. hide caption. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider We have asked from the beginning that the Memphis Police Department be transparent with the family and the community this news seems to indicate that they haven't risen to the occasion," they said. Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Highly anticipated video footage released Friday showed five Memphis Police Department officers using a stun gun, a baton and their fists as they pummeled Nichols during a nighttime arrest Jan. 7 after he was pulled over on suspicion of reckless driving. "[87][96], A moment of silence was held for Nichols before the NBA basketball game in Minneapolis at the Target Center on January 27 between the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. I'm gonna tase your ass. On January 15, MPD announced the officers involved would face administrative action. "Early this morning, we learned of the . "Video one is his body cam footage," Gerald said in an email statement. On Monday, the department confirmed that a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, had been "relieved of duty," according to spokesperson Kimberly Elder. The MPD officers have been dismissed and arrested. Read more. [91][92][93] Biden also told the family that he would renew a push with Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to tackle police misconduct. The officers involved in Nichols' arrest were members of the MPD's SCORPION unit, a specialized unit formed in 2021 to fight violent street crime. July 27, 2021: Man accused of striking officer with scooter shares his side of story; 4 officers relieved of duty July 26, 2021: Rough arrest of man in hotel lobby leads to 4 Miami Beach officers . She's been relieved of duty and is on non-enforcement status pending the outcome of an administrative hearing. I will tase your a--, an officer shouts. hide caption. Nichols responds that he didn't do anything, and the officer pulls him out of the car and throws him to the ground, saying "I'm gonna tase your ass." Times Syndication Service. Davissaid last week more officers are under investigationand the department's specialized units are being subject to a"complete and independent review.". Also on Monday, Memphis Police confirmed that a sixth officer has been relieved of duty. [19][20] SCORPION unit officers drove unmarked cars and many dressed in plainclothes and wore bulletproof vests marked "Police". "He was never present at the second scene. We Tracked Each One's Role", "Officer drew gun as he approached Tyre Nichols, report finds", "Retracing Tyre Nichols' final steps during MPD confrontations", "Tyre Nichols' mom on scene after Memphis beating that led to murder charges against 5 cops: incident report", "Tyre Nichols' death: Former Memphis cop took, shared photos of bloodied victim", "Video shows police kicking, pepper spraying, beating Tyre Nichols after traffic stop", "Video shows Tyre Nichols calling for his mother, beaten by officers now charged in his death", "Videos show Memphis police kicking and beating Tyre Nichols as he begs them to stop", "A camera mounted on a light pole took video of police beating Tyre Nichols. Anyone who works within a system that perpetuates state-sanctioned violence is complicit in upholding white supremacy."[100]. One "fact that disturbs me greatly," Ginther said, is that the officers involved did not turn their body cameras on until after the shooting. At about 8:25p.m., a struggle began between the officers and Nichols; they attempted to force Nichols to lie on his stomach on the ground and to put his hands behind his back, while threatening him, yelling expletives, and using pepper spray and a taser on him. "They provide transparency and accountability and protect the public, as well as officers, when the facts are in question.". Our community is exhausted," Ginther said at a press conference Tuesday. At this point, whats going to be helpful for this community is to see ow swiftly the police chief deals with those other officers now that everybody has seen the tape and knows that is wasnt only five officers who were at the scene the entire time, Jones said. Hemphill was placed on administrative leave on January 7, according to the Memphis Police Department. Nichols, a 29-year-old father, was heard calling for his mother and seen struggling with his injuries as he sat helpless on the pavement. Additional charges against other officers on scene that day could be coming as the investigation into Nichols' death continues, according to the Shelby County District Attorney's Office. [73], On January 26, the Grand Jury of the State of Tennessee indicted the five MPD officers and presented the following findings: murder, second-degree; aggravated assault; aggravated kidnapping; aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon; official misconduct, harming another; official misconduct, refraining from performing a duty imposed by law; official oppression. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The fallout from Tyre Nichols' fatal beating continued Monday when the Memphis Police Department said a seventh police officer who responded was relieved of duty. Three fire department employees were fired Monday after they were accused of violating "numerous" departmental policies and protocols, the agency said in a statement. Tuesday's incident comes just a few weeks after the shooting death of another Black man in Columbus. "Video One is his bodycam footage, Gerald said in a statement. [52] The initial police report did not state that officers had punched or kicked Nichols. The five officers have been fired and charged with second-degree murder and other alleged offenses stemming from the arrest, which has shocked many for its brutality and revived calls for police reform around the country. But he's still being paid. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. In the body-worn camera footage, Michael Ruiz of Fox News reported, "officers can be heard discussing his alleged driving, 'swerving' and nearly hitting one of them". [87], Various police officers reacted to the death of Tyre Nichols. [33] Fox News reported that, in the videos, "Nichols can be heard calling out to his mother before police beat him into a daze". Officers hold Nichols down and are hit by pepper spray that was deployed by another officer. If you were an officer or first responder and you sat there and watched this young man die and you did nothing to help resuscitate him, you did nothing to give him aid, youre just as culpable as the people who beat him down and killed him, President Van Turner said at a news conference Sunday. Then it took $4.3 million to push weight-loss products. "Why is his identity and the role he played in Tyre's death just now coming to light?" "Why is his identity and the role he played in Tyre's death just now coming to light? Seventh Memphis police officer relieved of duty. Meanwhile, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office said prosecutors could still file more criminal charges in connection to the fatal beating. We are looking at all individuals involved in the events leading up to, during, and after the beating of Tyre Nichols. Nichols funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday at a Memphis church. Local government officials said the officer died from a machete attack, while the civilian was killed by gunfire. An official autopsy has not been released. Nichols and the five charged former officers are Black. It was not clear how the bomber was able to slip into the walled compound in a high-security zone with other government buildings and reach the mosque. Hemphill's attorney, Lee Gerald, said Hemphill was one of the three officers at the site where police initially pulled Nichols over. Lucas Finton is a news reporter with The Commercial Appeal. All seven officers were initially suspended on Jan. 8, police said. The fallout from Nichols' traffic stop and fatal beating has spread to other agencies beyond the Memphis Police Department. "Let me be clear, if you're not going to turn on your body-worn camera, you cannot serve and protect the people of Columbus.". This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 13:28. He died in a hospital days later. [a] After pulling Nichols out of his vehicle, they used pepper spray and a taser to attempt to subdue Nichols as they attempted to detain him. [45] The sheriff's department is independent of the MPD. A city representative corrected her earlier statement on the number of officers involved. But the video showed other officers who also responded to the scene. The bombing also wounded more than 150 people. Brandon Calloway was arrested Saturday, July 16 . An officer can be heard saying, "I hope they stomp his ass.". Nichols.". [95] New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, denounced what she called "disgraceful actions", while Chicago Police Superintendent, DavidO. "The DA's Office worked extraordinarily swiftly but thoroughly to charge those whose offenses were plain and clear and directly contributed to the death of Mr. Nichols, but in no way is this investigation over," the district attorney's office said in a statement. While the officer had his gun and badge taken away pending the investigation, he will be paid according to the union contract. The Memphis Police Department owes us all answers.. [41][43], According to the documents, the MPD said that video/photo texting the pictures to acquaintancesincluding at least one person outside the departmentviolated its regulations regarding information confidentiality and classified law enforcement documents. It's not clear why the city waited until Monday to reveal the suspensions of Hemphill and the seventh officer. "Officer Preston Hemphill and other officers' actions and inactions have been and continue to be part of an investigation since its inception" on Jan. 8, the day after Nichols' traffic stop and the day all seven officers were relieved of duty, the department said. The FBI is also investigating the circumstances of Nichols' death. "Taser was deployed," the officer says while breathing heavily. In a statement, the agency didn't . "[99], The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation issued a statement that stated, "Although the media has spent a great amount of time drawing attention to the fact that the police officers are Black as if that is important, let us be clear: all police represent the interest of capitalism and impel state-sanctioned violence. [30], On scene, video footage showed officers issued at least 71 commands over 13 minutes; The New York Times article described the orders as "often simultaneous and contradictory", and "sometimes even impossible to obey", citing an example where the officer who struck Nichols with a baton was shouting "Give us your hands! It said two of the employees both EMTs "failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment of Mr. The Memphis FireDepartment fired emergency medical technicians, Robert Long and JaMicheal Sandridge, and fire engine driver Lt. Michelle Whitaker forfailing to provide Nichols an "adequate" assessment when they were called to provide medical aid after he was beaten by police officers, the department said Monday. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Vasquez-Lasso was shot just 2 1/2 miles from his home. On January 7, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to investigate allegations of excessive use of force during the arrest. ", Lawyers for the Nichols family said that Hemphill can be seen on body camera footage released by the Memphis Police Department last week "violently pulling Nichols from his car while hitting him on the ground with a Taser, later saying, 'I hope they stomp his ass' after Nichols ran away.". He tells officers yelling at him, I am on the ground! and it then appears that he is sprayed with a chemical irritant, the video shows. MEMPHIS, Tenn A sixth Memphis Police officer involved in the arrest which led to the death of Tyre Nichols on Jan. 7 has been relieved of duty, a spokesperson for the department confirmed with . December 2, 2014. "He is cooperating with officials in this investigation," Gerald said. not ruling out charges for Preston Hemphill, 6th officer named in Tyre Nichols death", "White officer involved in Tyre Nichols arrest fired", "Sixth Memphis officer fired after Tyre Nichols' death", "A timeline of the investigations into Tyre Nichols' death after a traffic stop and arrest by Memphis police", "Five former officers involved in Tyre Nichols' death plead not guilty", "Memphis police's vaunted Scorpion unit under scrutiny after Tyre Nichols' death", "Memphis police disband unit that beat Tyre Nichols", "As Memphis reckons with Tyre Nichols's death, police shutter unit involved in case", "Fired Officers Worked In MPD's 'SCORPION' Unit", "Muscle Cars, Balaclavas, and Fists: How the Scorpions Rolled Through Memphis", "New Question in Tyre Nichols Case: Where Were the Supervisors? On Monday, the department confirmed that a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, had been "relieved of duty," according to spokesperson Kimberly Elder. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Brown, called the video "horrific". The investigation will look into their conduct to determine what happened and whether any policies were violated, Bonner said. Gerald and the department did not respondThe Commercial Appeal's question as to whetherHemphill was part of the SCORPION Unit, a specialized unit that focused on concentrating officers in areas with high crime.