Video of Tire Nichols’ death shakes the US

At 18:00 local time in Memphis USA, it was the calm before the storm. Protesters gathered in the parks. The President of the United States, the mayor and the police chief of Memphis came forward with statements that made it clear that this video was not a pretty sight.

See clips from the published videos further down in the case. TV 2 warns against strong impressions.

Already yesterday it was also simmering on Twitter, and a completely different video was already circulating there: Namely, footage of Tire Nichols alive and happy while skating. “Before the Memphis police release the video of the murder, I want us to see this video of Tyre while he was alive,” was the message that repeated. Until six o’clock. Then the pictures and videos shared were of a much worse kind.

TV 2 describes the events in the video in text, so that it is not necessary to watch the video itself. It is nevertheless important to know the background for the strong reactions and demonstrations against the police.

This happens on the video

A total of four videos totaling 67 minutes have been posted of the events on 7 January this year. Nichols died from his injuries on January 10.

In the first encounter between Tire Nichols and the police, we can see a policeman get out of his car with a gun in his hand. He yells at Nichols to get out of his car:

– Get the fuck out of the car.

The police pull Nichols out of the car and make him lie down and threaten him with tasers. Another officer tells him to put his hands behind his back before he breaks them.

Nichols shouts: You guys are doing a lot now. I’m on the ground. A basketball attack ensues, and then Nichols gets up and runs. The police run after him.

In the next video, they get hold of Nichols again, he is subjected to the brutal violence that led to his death from his injuries three days later. He is subjected to blows, kicks to the head and electric shocks.

The sequence was filmed both by cameras attached to police uniforms and by a surveillance camera. Nichols calls out “mommy” three times followed by: “What have I done”.

Finally, Nichols is seen from the surveillance camera. He sits there for a long time before he is picked up by the ambulance.

Charged and relieved from duty

The five policemen shown in the video have been removed from duty and charged with murder. They were dismissed on 20 January.