Tyre Nichols death: Law enforcement group ‘infuriated’ by alleged assault during traffic stop

The president of a law enforcement group says that he’s “infuriated” by the description of the alleged assault by Memphis police officers on Tyre Nichols.

Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, made the comments ahead of the Friday night release of bodycam video relating to the Tyre Nichols traffic stop, which ended with the man being taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

“According to reports, the fact that none of those officers—NONE of them—acted to stop this vicious attack, only compounds my horror—it is sickening,” Yoes said. “The men arrested and charged for this crime have rights, the presumption of innocence, and the due process protections of anyone accused of a crime. But the bottom line here is that Tyre Nichols, his family, and our entire country need to see justice done—swiftly and surely.” 

Yoes said that based on what he’s heard about the incident, it doesn’t sound like legitimate police work.

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“The event as described to us does not constitute legitimate police work or a traffic stop gone wrong,” Yoes said. “This is a criminal assault under the pretext of law.”

“This criminal encounter should not and does not define the brave men and women of the Memphis Police Department or the more than 800,000 officers who keep our country and communities safe from the kind of violence that occurred in this incident,” he added.

Five former Memphis police officers have been fired and are being charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and other charges.

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Memphis police said that its officers pulled Nichols over on Jan. 7 for “reckless driving” and that a “confrontation occurred during the stop,” which then led to Nichols attempting to run away from the officers.

After catching up with Nichols, officials said that another confrontation occurred that left Nichols complaining about a shortness of breath.

“While attempting to take the suspect into custody, another confrontation occurred; however, the suspect was ultimately apprehended,” MPD said. “Afterward the suspect complained of having shortness of breath, at which point an ambulance was called to the scene.” 

 

Nichols was then transported to St. Francis Hospital and described as being in critical condition, but he died on Jan. 10, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.