Mostly peaceful protests over police brutality were carrie out around. The country after the public release of body camera footage brought the Memphis police killing of Tyre Nichols into clearer picture.
Nichols, a 29-year-old Black motorist, was pulle over Jan. 7 for what police said was reckless driving. After attempting to flee on foot, Nichols was aggressively beaten by police. Newly released police video shows. Three days later, he died in the hospital.
What we know about the killing of Tyre Nichols
Who was Tyre Nichols?
Nichols, a father of a 4-year-old son, was known to his family as an avid skateboarder. Nature photographer from Sacramento, Calif., according to The Associate Press. He arrived in Memphis just before the pandemic, and later started a job with FedEx, a major employer there. Nichols had been with the company for about nine months before his death, The New York Times reported.
“He was one of those people who made everyone around them happy. Nichols’ step-grandmother Lucille Washington said at a memorial service.
What we know about the killing of Tyre Nichols
Police said on Jan. 8 that Nichols was taken into custody after a traffic stop that involved two confrontations with officers. During the initial confrontation, Nichols fled the scene of the traffic stop, police said.
Following the arrest, Nichols then complained of shortness of breath. According to authorities, and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he died on Jan. 10.
His family has said the police beat him so severely that he was unrecognizable.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement earlier this week that. It understood the “reasonable request from the public” to view the video of Nichols’ death.
The city of Memphis released the four-part footage on Vimeo on Friday evening.
In the videos, officers are seen dragging Nichols from his car and shouting profanities. Throughout the confrontation. An officer tries to deploy a Taser at Nichols and then begins to chase him on foot. I’m just trying to go home,” Nichols is heard saying. Later, officers are seen repeatedly kicking, punching and using a baton to strike Nichols as he lies on the ground. At one point he’s heard yelling “Mom.” Lawyers for the Nichols family say this encounter happened within 100 yards of the family’s home.
What we know about the killing of Tyre Nichols
Ben Crump, the family’s attorney, compare the footage to. The video of the 1991 Los Angeles police beating of Rodney King, another Black motorist.
Protests were held in several cities following release of police video
Mostly peaceful protests broke out in cities across the U.S. following. The release of the videos, with demonstrators leading marches. Chants against police brutality and shutting down highways and intersections in some cities.