Tyre Nichols beating: Timeline of investigation into police killing of Memphis man
Jack Birle
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The alleged police beating of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, during a traffic stop earlier this month has caused uproar nationwide.
Nichols was hospitalized from the injuries sustained during the incident and died three days later, leading to the five officers involved being fired and charged with various crimes. Here is a breakdown of the events that have led up to the expected release of police bodycam footage Friday evening.
TYRE NICHOLS BODY CAMERA: VIDEO OF BEATING COULD BE ‘WORSE’ THAN INFAMOUS RODNEY KING FOOTAGE
Jan. 7: The incident
Nichols, 29, was hospitalized after Memphis police officers pulled him over for a traffic stop at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time and used force to arrest him.
Police reports say a confrontation between Nichols and officers occurred after they had stopped him under the accusation he was driving recklessly, an allegation authorities have not found evidence of so far.
Nichols was sent to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries on Jan. 10, per the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Jan. 15: Involved police officers put on administrative leave
More than a week after the incident at the traffic stop, the Memphis Police Department announced it had placed the five officers on leave while there was an investigation into the alleged police brutality.
“After reviewing various sources of information involving this incident, I have found that it is necessary to take immediate and appropriate action,” Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis said in a statement. “Today, the department is serving notice to the officers involved of the impending administrative actions.”
Jan. 20: Involved police officers are fired
The police officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith, are named by officials and are fired for violating policies on excessive use of force, duty to render aid, and duty to intervene at the traffic stop.
“The egregious nature of this incident is not a reflection of the good work our officers perform, with integrity every day,” Davis said in a statement.
Jan. 26: Involved police officers charged with various crimes, including second-degree murder
The five officers were each charged with second-degree murder, two counts of official misconduct, one count of official oppression, aggravated assault act in concert, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping. All five officers surrendered on Thursday and are being booked into the Shelby County Jail.
Jan. 27: Video of the incident released
The video will be released on YouTube by the Memphis Police Department, Davis confirmed Friday. The video is set to be released at 6 p.m. CST Friday.
Davis said on CNN This Morning Friday that the footage was “about the same, if not worse” than the video of Rodney King being beaten by police officers in 1991.
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“I was in law enforcement during the Rodney King incident, and it’s very much aligned with that same type of behavior,” Davis said. “I would say it’s about the same, if not worse. If not worse.”
Police departments nationwide are on high alert for possible protests breaking out after the video is released. Nichols’s family has advocated protests to remain peaceful.