Memphis police were bracing for reaction to the release of video showing the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. The fired officers have been charged with murder.
Five former Memphis police officers were charged with second-degree murder Thursday in the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop, authorities said.
Ex-officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith, who are all Black, were 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 in the death of Nichols, according to the Shelby County Sherriff’s Department.
The encounter occurred Jan. 7 and was captured on police body cameras.
Memphis police and law enforcement agencies across the country were bracing themselves Thursday for reaction to the release of video showing the brutal beating of Nichols, who died earlier this month after the encounter with police.
The possible release of the video of the incident — which could be released Thursday afternoon by the Shelby County district attorney — put police departments, including the LAPD, on notice across the country as they brace for demonstrations.
