Find out who Tyre Nichols is and what happened to Tyre Nichols in Memphis. Stay informed on the latest developments and events surrounding his case, which has sparked national attention and calls for justice. Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old African American man, passed away on January 10th following a police interaction during a traffic stop close to his mother’s residence in Memphis, Tennessee.
According to statements made by Nichols’ family and their lawyers, results from an independent autopsy showed that he sustained substantial bleeding from a severe beating. The Memphis police department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, with support from state and federal agencies.
More: Alec Baldwin Net Worth: How Much Money Does He Make? Check Out Now!
The community is tense as the police department prepares to release footage of the encounter that led to Nichols’ death. The video is expected to give more insights into the events that took place, as very little information has been shared by authorities at this time. The following information is currently known about the circumstances of Nichols’ passing.
Who was Tyre Nichols?
Nichols was employed at FedEx, working the second shift. According to reports from his family, he would come back to his mother’s house every evening around 7 pm for dinner.
A father to a four-year-old son, Tyre enjoyed capturing sunsets through photography and also liked to skateboard. His mother, RowVaughn Wells, mentioned that he had a tattoo of her name on his arm, which made her proud. She stated that her son was a beautiful soul.
What Happened To Tyre Nichols in Memphis?
According to the family’s lawyers, on January 7th, police pulled over Nichols for suspected reckless driving. The police department initially stated that there was a “confrontation” when the officers approached the vehicle, during which he fled, followed by another “confrontation” when they apprehended him. The result was that Nichols was badly beaten, unconscious, and left in that condition until he died several days later. The authorities have not given much further information about the event.
The Video Footage
According to the family and lawyers of Tyre Nichols, they have viewed a video recording that depicts a three-minute-long beating. The lawyers claim that the police used pepper spray on him, deployed a stun gun, and then restrained him.
Romanucci described the incident as a “savage” beating where the police officers treated Nichols like a “human piñata”. The family’s lawyers state that the video shows that during the confrontation, Nichols repeatedly begged to go home and called out for his mother, who lived 100 yards away.
More: Who Is George Kittle’s Wife? What Do We Know About His Early Life, Career, Net Worth And Much More
The release of the video of Tyre Nichols’s encounter with Memphis police is expected in the near future. The Shelby county district attorney’s office expects it to be released either this week or next, while the Memphis police chief stated that it will be made available “in the coming days”.
Officers Involved In Incident
The five officers involved in the arrest of Tyre Nichols were Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr, and Justin Smith. All five officers are Black and have been fired from the Memphis police department for allegedly violating policies including excessive use of force and failure to provide aid. Additionally, two members of the Memphis fire department who were involved in providing care for Nichols have also been removed from duty while an internal investigation is conducted.
What did the Memphis Police Chief Have To Say?
CJ Davis, the Memphis police chief, expressed his shock and disappointment over the fatal incident, describing it as “heinous, reckless, and inhumane”. She spoke as both a police chief and as a member of the community, saying that the incident was not only a professional failure but a failure of basic humanity. She promised transparency and stated that when the video is released in the near future, everyone will be able to see it for themselves.
Protest Against The Incident
Protests erupted in several U.S. cities after the videos were made public, mostly peaceful in nature, with marchers chanting against police brutality, leading to the shutdown of highways and intersections in some cities.
Protests occurred in multiple cities across the US after the release of the video. In Memphis, protesters shut down the I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River for three hours while chanting and calling for justice for Tyre.
More: Kate Mara Net Worth: Early Life, Career, Relationship And More!
In Los Angeles, the protest outside of the LAPD headquarters became tense when it was blocked by police in riot gear. Other smaller peaceful protests took place in cities such as New York City, Washington D.C., Seattle, Detroit, and Atlanta, and from coast to coast.
Agencies Involved In The Case
The attorney for the family, Crump, stated that during the arrest, police not only restrained Nichols but also used a stun gun and pepper spray on him. He mentioned that the case highlights the issue of police brutality against Black and Brown people during routine traffic stops. Crump believes that the indictment of the five officers is not enough and there is a need for broader reforms in the American policing system.
