The Memphis Police Department released police body-camera footage on Friday of law enforcement’s encounter with 29-year-old Tyre Nichols, who died in the hospital days after being detained in a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee.
Nichols was stopped by Memphis police January 7 on suspicion of reckless driving, according to previous police statements. After being pulled over roughly just 80 yards from his home, police said there was a “confrontation” between Nichols and the officers and he fled on foot.
Memphis officers then pursued Nichols and eventually apprehended him, but, police said, Nichols complained about having shortness of breath and was taken to a hospital “in a critical condition” after being detained.
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Four separate videos were released on the City of Memphis’ Vimeo page Friday night. The link to view the footage can be found here.
WARNING: Video contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.
The videos, which include scenes captured from a pole camera and police body-cameras, show the interactions between Nichols and law enforcement at an intersection and at a second location in a residential neighborhood, according to the videos’ descriptions.
Prior to its public release, the body-camera footage of Nichols’ detainment was only viewed by the few involved in the investigation, and was described by several viewers as “disgusting.” General Attorney Merrick Garland told reporters on Friday that he was told the video was “horrific” based on his briefing about the footage, and FBI Director Christopher Wray said he was “appalled” by what he saw.
Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, said earlier Friday that she had not watched the video, but had been told that her son was calling for her name during the confrontation.
Last week, Memphis police fired the five officers involved in the “confrontation” with Nichols, saying that an investigation into the incident concluded there had been “excessive use of force” by the officers.
The five men—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr., and Justin Smith—have been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, official oppression and official misconduct. Steve Mulroy, Shelby County district attorney, told reporters at a news conference Thursday after announcing the charges that each of the former officers played a role in Nichols’ death.
Several U.S. cities have been preparing for possible protests Friday night in response to release of the police footage. Some businesses in downtown Memphis boarded up their windows and storefronts ahead of the release, and the Department of Homeland Security told CNN on Friday that it was collaborating with law enforcement agencies across the country “to share timely information and to support efforts to keep our communities safe.”
Newsweek has reached out to Ben Crump, Nichols’ family attorney, for comment.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
