Two Memphis, Tennessee, hearth division personnel had been “relieved of obligation” whereas an inside investigation was carried out into the demise of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died days after a site visitors cease.
Memphis Fireplace Division spokesperson Qwanesha Ward mentioned the workers had been “concerned within the preliminary affected person care” of Nichols however didn’t present additional particulars.
“That is an ongoing investigation, and we can’t remark additional right now,” Ward mentioned in an announcement Monday. The division didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Nichols, 29, was stopped by Memphis police on Jan. 7 for reckless driving, the division mentioned. Particulars about what occurred after the cease stay unclear.
Police mentioned there was a “confrontation” between Nichols and the officers as they approached his automotive. Nichols allegedly ran away and officers pursued him.
“Whereas making an attempt to take the suspect into custody, one other confrontation occurred; nonetheless, the suspect was finally apprehended,” in line with a Jan. 8 police assertion. “Afterward, the suspect complained of getting a shortness of breath, at which era an ambulance was known as to the scene.”
Authorities gave no particulars in regards to the alleged confrontation.
Nichols was taken to the hospital in vital situation and died on Jan. 10. A photograph launched by the household confirmed Nichols in a hospital mattress with blood on his face and a swollen eye.
The household’s legal professional, Ben Crump, mentioned what occurred to Nichols reminded him of the 1991 beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles cops.
“What we will let you know in regards to the video: It’s appalling, it’s deplorable, it’s heinous … violent,” Crump mentioned. “And it’s very troublesome on each degree, as a result of it’s a must to ask your self, but once more, we’re seeing proof of what occurs to Black and brown folks from easy site visitors stops.”
The Memphis Police Division mentioned in a Twitter statement Monday that it’s working with the district legal professional’s workplace “to find out the suitable time to launch the video recordings publicly.”
Along with the hearth division personnel who had been relieved of obligation, five police officers involved in the traffic stop were fired after an administrative investigation discovered they violated division insurance policies, Police Chief C.J. Davis mentioned. They had been recognized as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
The Division of Justice and FBI’s Memphis subject workplace additionally introduced a civil rights investigation into the traffic stop.
