The total of officers officially relieved from duty or charged in the death of Tyre Nichols has officially risen to seven, and the number could continue rising, according to Memphis police . "[28] Officers pushed Nichols to the ground. It's not clear if they are among those whose termination was announced Monday. [69][70] On February 3, it was announced that Hemphill had also been fired. Following a traffic stop on January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old African man, was assaulted and beaten, allegedly by five African officers of the Memphis Police Department (MPD) in Tennessee who were all members of MPD's specialized police unit called SCORPION. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. One "fact that disturbs me greatly," Ginther said, is that the officers involved did not turn their body cameras on until after the shooting. These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. Crump had previously said the way charges were handled should act as a standard for police accountability. Criminal charges have not been filed against the firefighters. The total number of officers facing discipline is thirteen, including six who have been terminated and seven more who will face charges of policy violation. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. [9][10][11], Nichols was raised in Sacramento, California, and moved to Memphis in 2020. hide caption. 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. Hemphill has not been charged with a crime. "relieved of duty" and put on paid administrative leave, charged with murder in the 29-year-old Nichols' death. Officer Preston Hemphill was placed on paid leave over the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. The location was symbolic Shelby Farms, a large green space in East Memphis that Nichols was known to frequent to enjoy sunsets. She did not . The Skycop camera lacks audio. A couple dozen gathered, a crowd size likely impacted by temperatures in the 30s and an encroaching ice storm warning from the National Weather Service. Later in the day it said another officer had also been relieved, but without naming the person or specifying what role they played in the incident. Police identified the officer as Paris Glass, a seven-year veteran of MPD. Sign up for notifications from Insider! For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Ben Crump says the only known white Memphis police officer relieved of duty in Tyre Nichols' death pulled him from car and hit him with a Taser yet had his identity protected. investigating the circumstances of Nichols' death. Nichols' family retained attorneys Benjamin Crump[13] and Antonio Romanucci. Mourners buriedsome of the victims Tuesday of a suicide bombing at a mosque officials say has killed at least 88 people in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy's office said Monday that authorities worked extraordinarily swiftly but thoroughly to charge those whose offenses were plain and clear and directly contributed to the death of Mr. Nichols but that the investigation is far from over. Officer Preston Hemphill is on paid administrative leave "pending the outcome of the investigation," a spokesman for the Memphis Police Department told Insider. ", "City: More Memphis police officers may face discipline in Tyre Nichols case", "City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland statement regarding Tyre Nichols Thursday, January 26, 2023", "Video shows Memphis police violently beating Tyre Nichols in the traffic stop that led to his death", "Tyre Nichols: Family remembers 'a beautiful soul', "Tyre Nichols was a son and father who enjoyed skateboarding, photography and sunsets, his family says", "Family of Tyre Nichols urge calm as police prepare to release video of fatal beating", "From Sacramento to Memphis, Tyre Nichols Cut His Own Path", "Tyre Nichols Beating Opens a Complex Conversation on Race and Policing", "Black Memphis police spark dialogue on systemic racism in the U.S.", "What we know about the 5 Memphis police officers charged with beating Tyre Nichols to death", "4 officers indicted in Tyre Nichols death had previous reprimands, suspensions by MPD", "Memphis special police unit accused in Tyre Nichols' death faces scrutiny", "Tyre Nichols: What is the 'Scorpion' unit of Memphis police? [75], After Nichols' death, Chief Davis called for a review of the SCORPION unit,[20][76] and the unit was disbanded on January 28. While the MPD initially said that Nichols had been pulled over for "reckless driving," Chief Cerelyn Davis said on Thursday that officers had no proof to pull Nichols over, and called the video "heinous, reckless, and inhumane.". The seven officers include the fivewho were fired and charged with murder. She did not disclose Hemphills role in the arrest. A Little Rock Police Department officer has been relieved of duty and placed on paid administrative leave during an investigation into a domestic violence call. . Memphis police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said on Monday that Officer Preston Hemphill, who has served on the force 2018, was relieved of duty when the department began its internal investigation . A seventh officer, whose identity remains unknown to Insider, was also placed on leave. 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The world is 'dangerously unprepared' to handle the next pandemic, the Red Cross says in a scathing report, Ukrainian troops are calling the US military in the middle of shootouts with Russia for help fixing their artillery, Lawyers representing Nichols' family suggested Monday, brutally beaten by five now-fired Black Memphis Police Department police officers, Vivo V27 Pro Review: Capable camera performance in a sleek form factor, A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's now been dating for a year, Xiaomi 13 Pro Review: Cameras stand true to the promise, 'Let's get real': scientists discover a new way climate change threatens cold-blooded animals, IISc researchers show chemically-modified nanosheets are effective for biomedical applications, SC extends stay on order quashing write-off of Yes Bank's AT1 bonds, People have become low on tolerance, not willing to accept opinions: CJI Chandrachud, Startup fundraising hits an 8-month low in February, falls over 83% YoY. Nichols died on Jan. 10, just three days after the traffic stop. A seventh officer, whom the department did not identify, was also suspended. He was seen on police video being brutally beaten by police officers and died three days later in the hospital. A portrait of Tyre Nichols is displayed at a memorial service for him on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn. Nichols was killed during a traffic stop with Memphis Police on Jan. 7. An officer can be heard saying, "I hope they stomp his ass.". The 26-year-old officer joined the force in 2018 and allegedly used . As we have advised, the investigation is ongoing. Shoother an email atNFallert@usatoday.com orfollow along with her musings onTwitter. 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. Two Shelby County sheriffs deputies were also relieved of duty pending an administrative investigation in connection with Nichols death, Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr.announcedFriday night after having watched the video for the first time. One officer, Preston Hemphill, used a stun gun that hit Mr. Nichols in the torso, according to a police report on the . The third employee, a lieutenant, remained in her vehicle, the department said. An officer then shoots a stun gun at him while he sprints away. The Memphis Police Department owes us all answers.. She did not . This includes the officer present at the initial encounter who has not so far been charged, Memphis Fire Department personnel, and persons who participated in preparing documentation of the incident afterward, Mulroy's office said in a statement. Police officials added, that this behavior was also part of a pattern of jeering, abusing, and "blatantly unprofessional" conduct on the part of the officers, which also included cursing at Nichols, laughing after the beating, and "bragging" and documenting their involvement in the deadly beating.[41]. Hemphills role in the arrest was not disclosed. Jones said he believes more officers should be disciplined. A sixth Memphis police officer has been relieved of duty in connection to the assault and death investigation of Tyre Nichols, a Memphis Police Department (MPD) official announced on Monday. Nichols says, OK, dude, dang! at one point, and you guys are really doing a lot right now. Officers yell at Nichols to lie on the ground and put his hands behind his back. On Monday, the department confirmed that a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, had been "relieved of duty," according to spokesperson Kimberly Elder. Thirteen police officers, ten of whom were on the traffic stop, have been disciplined, relieved of duty, dismissed, or arrested. Five Black officers were fired and charged last week with second-degree . The five former officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. have all been charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault-acting in concert, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct and one count of official oppression. They called for police reforms such an end to pretextual traffic stops and an outside, independent review of operations at the Memphis Police Department. Nichols funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday at a Memphis church. Lucas Finton is a news reporter with The Commercial Appeal. An internal investigation determined the deputies violated several patrol field duties and operational responsibilities. Keepreading:Tyre Nichols' parents to attend State of the Union. [71][72] Hemphill, who is White, had been involved in the initial traffic stop and tasing but not in the subsequent filmed beating. Two Memphis Fire Department employees, who were not identified, but who were "involved in the initial patient care" of Nichols, were relieved of duty earlier this month. Two more police units arrived at the scene around 8:29p.m.[30] Footage showed that one officer who remained at the area of the traffic stop said, "I hope they stomp his ass". Crump had previously said that the way charges were handled should act as a standard for police accountability. After the incident, Nichols was hospitalized in critical condition where he died three days later. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation. [28] Ultimately, Nichols broke free and ran south on Ross Road, where he was pursued by at least two officers. [48], The released videos did not corroborate the police report's claim that Nichols "started to fight" with officers, or even that he had been violent at all. Don't reach for your license. The fatal shooting sparked outrage and protests among the community, and is currently under investigation by the FBI and local authorities. Preston Hemphill was relieved of duty with pay pending an administrative hearing, a Memphis Police Department spokesperson said. Remember, we said this investigation is ongoing. "This is a tragedy on many levels," Quinlan said. We want justice, and we want them brought to justice., Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonnerlaunched an internal investigationto determine whether two of his deputies who arrived on scene after the beatingviolated departmentpolicies. Officer Preston Hemphill was placed on paid leave in connection to the fatal beating of Nichols. An emergency unit cared for Nichols and transported him to a hospital at 9:08 p.m. Video footage released on Friday showed Memphis officers savagely beating Nichols. Two firefighters who treated Nichols after the beating were also relieved from duty and the city said it's actively reviewing if any additional charges will be filed against them. 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.". "Video one is his body cam footage," Gerald said in an email statement. Five former officersTadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr.were fired Jan. 20 as a result of MPD's internal investigation into the events that preceded Nichols' death. Police announced the first five officers' termination on Jan. 20. The five officers were arrested on January 26 and charged with murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and misconduct. 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. He acknowledged Monday that Memphis police policies of failure to render aid and de-escalation appeared to have been violated. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Oakland Police Assistant Chief Larry Gaines says one of the officers involved in the arrest of Brandon Calloway has been relieved of duty with pay. It said two of the employees both EMTs "failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment of Mr. Workers Terminated After Failing To Render Proper Aid To Tyre Nichols", "Former Memphis officers arrested on murder charges in the death of Tyre Nichols", "DA: 5 Memphis cops 'all responsible' for Tyre Nichols' death", "Tyre Nichols Live Updates: Memphis to Release 'Appalling' Police Video", "7 officers involved in Tyre Nichols' death relieved of duty, 3 Memphis FD members fired", "Shelby County D.A. Two additional Memphis police officers, including the white officer seen encountering Tyre Nichols during his traffic stop, were relieved of duty and three Memphis Fire Department personnel were . Two More Memphis Police Officers Are Suspended in Tyre Nichols's Death. All seven officers were initially suspended on Jan. 8, police said. The FBI is also investigating the circumstances of Nichols' death. 6 min read. [12] According to his family's attorney, Nichols was "almost impossibly slim" due to Crohn's disease, and weighed 145 pounds (66 kilograms) at a height of 6feet 3inches (1.91 meters). 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! Nichols, 29, a Black man who was an amateur photographer and skateboarder, was hospitalized in critical condition and died three days after the traffic stop. Multiple police videos show officers punching, kicking and hitting him with a baton. They are appealing. In addition to the five officers, who chatted and milled about for several minutes as Nichols sat on on the ground in obvious pain, two Shelby County sheriffs deputies have been relieved of duty without pay while their conduct is investigated. The fallout from Nichols' traffic stop and fatal beating has spread to other agencies beyond the Memphis Police Department. [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. Neither of the responding officers turned their body cameras on until after the victim was shot. The officer and victim have not been identified. MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Authorities announced that a total of seven Memphis Police officers were relieved of duty this month after police officers brutally beat, Tased and pepper sprayed 29 . Five officers involved were fired and charged with murder. Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for the Nichols family, issued a statement earlier in the day criticizing the police department. The statement added that "numerous" impending charges are developing. "We have never seen swift justice like this," Crump said at a press conference in Memphis' Mount Olive CME Church on Friday. [48] The report claimed that at the initial traffic stop Nichols was irate, sweating profusely when he left his vehicle, and he refused to be detained. "Most importantly, a life has been lost. MPD publicly released four edited video clips from police body cameras and a nearby Skycop camera. ", The body camera video Hemphills attorney referred to shows an officer arriving at the traffic stop and pointing a gun. Click here to see more photos as competitors glide to glory. In Goodson's death, there was also no body camera footage, because Franklin County Sheriff's task force officers are not issued body cameras. "Thoughts and prayers cannot soothe this pain, and the members of Columbus City Council are beyond frustrated at this senseless death. ", The DA's office said it "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.". "It certainly begs the question why the white officer involved in this brutal attack was shielded and protected from the public eye, and to date, from sufficient discipline and accountability.". December 2, 2014. You can sign up here. Nichols, during a struggle on the ground, manages to break free from the officers, according to the video. On February 14, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office announced in a press release,[44] that Sheriff Deputies Jeremy Watkins and Johntavious Bowers were suspended for five days without pay. The current charges do not preclude us from adding additional charges as more information is presented. [95] New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, denounced what she called "disgraceful actions", while Chicago Police Superintendent, DavidO. [45] The sheriff's department is independent of the MPD. In the statement, MPD said seven officers were relieved of duty on Jan. 8 at the start of their internal investigation: Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills, Jr . 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. 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." ", but another officer was already manipulating Nichols' handcuffed arm; then when an officer shouted: "Give me your fucking hands! Officer Preston Hemphill, was placed on leave, a spokesperson for MPD confirmed Monday to The Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network. [36] One officer bragged: "I was hitting him with straight haymakers, dog", while another exclaimed: "I jumped in, started rocking him. After restraining him, they are accused of punching him, kicking his head, and striking his back with an ASP baton for three minutes. On Thursday morning, four police officers from the Chicago Lawn Police District arrived at the scene of the shooting with flowers for a memorial. A White officer, who was involved in the initial traffic stop and alleged tasing but not in the subsequently filmed assault and beating, is among those dismissed. The city of Memphis releases videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating, Memphis deactivates the unit that fatally beat Tyre Nichols, as officials urge reform. Tyre Nichols case reignites conversations among lawmakers on federal police legislation, Tyre Nichols' death raises tough questions about race in policing, Demonstrators demand justice, accountability after 'horrific' Tyre Nichols video, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Advertisement - story continues below. "As per departmental regulations Officer Hemphill activated his bodycam. Memphis police and the Shelby County district attorney have said an investigation into the actions of law enforcement officers who reported to the scene of the arrest was ongoing. They sometimes yell contradictory commands at him in a chaotic scene. ", JaMicheal Sandridge (left), Robert Long and Lt. Michelle Whitaker were terminated following the Memphis Fire Department's own internal investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols. Tuesday's incident comes just a few weeks after the shooting death of another Black man in Columbus. On January 15, MPD announced the officers involved would face administrative action. Lawyers representing Nichols' family suggested Monday that Hemphill, the only known white officer in the interaction, was receiving special treatment. [21], Nichols was two minutes away from his home when he was stopped by MPD at 8:24p.m. on January7, 2023. In a statement, the agency didn't identify the seventh officer or say whether the person would face departmental or criminal charges. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Marshal Peter Tobin said at a press conference earlier this month. I just felt there was more than five officers out there. "Early this morning, we learned of the killing of another African American at the hands of law enforcement. On March 1, 2023, Chicago police were responding to a domestic call of a man chasing a woman with a gun. A city representative corrected her earlier statement on the number of officers involved. ABC News' Haley Yamada contributed to this report. It's not clear why the city waited until Monday to reveal the suspensions of Hemphill and the seventh officer. Hemphill, who is white, joined the Memphis Police Department in 2018. [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. In its initial narrative, the Memphis Police Departmentsaid the officers involved had been relieved of dutybut did not say how many officers that was. [87], Various police officers reacted to the death of Tyre Nichols. [60][61][62], By January 24, two Memphis Fire Services (MFS) emergency medical technicians (EMTs), Robert Long and JaMichael Sandridge, who were on scene had been relieved of duty without further explanation. They are all out on bail. The news today from Memphis officials that Officer Preston Hemphill was reportedly relieved of duty weeks ago, but not yet terminated or charged, is extremely disappointing. TikTok said it would be a haven for body positivity. Im just trying to go home.. Read more, Families are struggling to pay high energy bills along with other rising costs for essential goods, like food and rent,that are increasing at a faster rate than the overall rate of inflation.