Tyre Nichols: Bodycam Footage Reveals Final Moments of Father-of-One’s Fatal Encounter with Police
On January 7, 2023, 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was brutally beaten by five police officers in Memphis, Tennessee. Bodycam footage of the incident, which has been released by the Memphis Police Department, shows the officers holding Nichols down and striking him with fists, batons, and boots while shouting profanities. Nichols can be heard calling out for his mother multiple times during the three-minute attack.
The police department has released four separate videos cut into one hour-long clip, including bodycam footage and footage from a CCTV camera. The footage shows the initial police stop at an intersection in Memphis and shows one officer saying “I’m going to baton the f*** out of you” as another officer holds Nichols.
After the attack, Nichols died on January 10, three days later. The five officers involved, all of whom are black, have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes, including assault, kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression.
The release of the footage has sparked protests in at least nine cities across the US. Nichols’ mother has pleaded for peace, stating that “tearing up the streets” is “not what my son stood for.” Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis has called for calm before the video footage was made public and stated, “I expect you to feel what the Nichols family feels. I expect you to feel outrage in the disregard of basic human rights.”
Introduction
- Protests are taking place across the US after the release of bodycam footage showing the violent arrest of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols.
- Mr. Nichols’ mother has pleaded for peace and stated that “tearing up the streets” is “not what my son stood for”.
Bodycam Footage
- Footage shows five police officers violently arresting Mr. Nichols, holding him down and striking him with fists, batons, and boots.
- The video is distressing and shows Mr. Nichols repeatedly calling for his mother during the attack.
- Four separate videos have been released, including police bodycam footage and footage from a CCTV camera.
Initial Police Stop
- The footage begins with the initial police stop at an intersection in Memphis, Tennessee.
- One officer can be heard saying “I’m going to baton the f*** out of you” as he raises his baton.
- Mr. Nichols can be heard saying “I didn’t do anything” as the officers begin to wrestle him to the ground.
Violent Arrest of Tyre Nichols
- The officers can be heard shouting commands and profanities at Mr. Nichols as they hold him on the ground.
- Mr. Nichols calmly states “OK, I’m on the ground” and “Stop, I’m not doing anything” as the officers continue to shout.
- He is then pepper-sprayed, punched, kicked, and hit with a baton.
Aftermath
- After the beating, officers mill around for several minutes while Mr. Nichols lies propped up against a car before he slumps onto the street.
- Emergency workers with medical equipment are present but do not immediately intervene.
- Mr. Nichols died three days after the violent arrest.
Officer’s Charges
- Five officers, all of whom are black, have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes including assault, kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression over Mr. Nichols’ death.
- Lawyers for three of the officers have stated that their clients will plead not guilty.
Credit: Sky News
Conclusion of Tyre Nichols Story
- The release of this footage has sparked outrage and calls for justice for Mr. Nichols and his family.
- Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis has asked for calm before the video footage was made public and stated that she expects the public to “feel outrage in the disregard of basic human rights.”
