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Tyre Nichols police video released; Pres. Biden, Gov. Kemp with statements

As promised by authorities in Memphis, police video of more than one hour’s worth was released that depicts five Memphis officers beating a Black man after a Jan. 7 confrontation during a traffic stop.

Body cam video, along with police pole-mounted camera footage, was released to the public Friday night.

Due to its graphic nature and out of respect for Tyre Nichols and his family, WSB Radio will not be publishing the video.

The Associated Press describes the footage that shows motorist Tyre Nichols being held down, struck by the Black officers and screaming for his mother as the police savagely beat the 29-year-old FedEx worker for three minutes. Video shows officers repeatedly strike him with their fists, boots and batons as Nichols screamed for his mother and pleaded, “I just want to go home.”

“I’m going to baton the ------ out you,” one officer can be heard saying. His body camera shows him raise his baton while at least one other officer holds Nichols.

After the beating, officers milled about for several minutes while Nichols lay propped up against the car, then slumped onto the street.

Tyre Nichols died three days after the confrontation with the officers. Charges against all five now-former officers were announced this week.

Following Friday night’s video release, the Shelby County (Tenn.) Sheriff’s Office said that two deputies have been relieved of duty after they reportedly showed up Tyre Nichols’ arrest on Jan. 7. The sheriff says he’s launched an investigation into “the conduct of these deputies to determine what occurred” and if the deputies had violated any policies.

After the video’s release Friday night, the White House released a statement from President Biden:

“Like so many, I was outraged and deeply pained to see the horrific video of the beating that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death. It is yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and Brown Americans experience every single day.

My heart goes out to Tyre Nichols’ family and to Americans in Memphis and across the country who are grieving this tremendously painful loss. The footage that was released this evening will leave people justifiably outraged. Those who seek justice should not to resort to violence or destruction. Violence is never acceptable; it is illegal and destructive. I join Mr. Nichols’ family in calling for peaceful protest.

I spoke with RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, Mr. Nichols’ mother and stepfather, this afternoon. There are no words to describe the heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved child and young father. Nothing can bring Mr. Nichols back to his family and the Memphis community. But Mr. and Mrs. Wells, Mr. Nichols’ son, and his whole family deserve a swift, full, and transparent investigation.

We must do everything in our power to ensure our criminal justice system lives up to the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment, and dignity for all. Real and lasting change will only come if we take action to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again. That is why I called on Congress to send the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to my desk. When Senate Republicans blocked that bill, I signed an executive order that mandated stricter use of force standards and accountability provisions for federal law enforcement, as well as measures to strengthen accountability at the state and local level.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has also released a statement Friday night:

“Marty, the girls, and I were truly shaken and deeply saddened by the footage of events that led to Tyre Nichols’ tragic death. We are praying for his family and community during this time of heartbreak. As citizens express their grief and reactions to his killing, the state continues to respect the right of peaceful protest.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.





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