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The family of Tyre Nichols filed a $550M lawsuit against the city of Memphis and police officers this week, just over three months after the FedEx driver died following a beating at the hands of law enforcement.
Nichols, 29, was pronounced dead on Jan. 10 after five since-fired officers reportedly senselessly beat, slapped, pepper sprayed and kicked him during a traffic stop just 60 yards from his family’s home.
The suit filed Wednesday for Nichols’ mother, RowVaugh Wells, accuses Memphis Police Director Cerelyn “CJ” Davis of starting the Scorpion crime-suppression unit that allegedly used “extreme intimidation, humiliation, and violence” to “disproportionately” target young black men.
At least two of the officers involved in Nichols’ death were part of the Scorpion squad, which was disbanded in late January.
All five were also fired and charged with second-degree murder.
The reasons the officers pulled the father-of-one over have “never been substantiated,” the suit reads.
It alleges that he was targeted because he was black.
In addition to Davis and the five charged officers, the lawsuit names the city of Memphis, one officer who was fired but spared criminal charges, and another officer who retired before he could be let go as defendants.
