Several video clips of Memphis police officers beating Tyre Nichols’ to a pulp and the aftermath were released Friday evening.
The anticipated video release, which had the nation on edge, comes a day after five Memphis police officers accused of beating Nichols were indicted on multiple charges, including second-degree murder.
The footage released by the City of Memphis came in four parts totaling nearly an hour. The officers initiated the traffic stop by pulling Nichols out of the car through the driver’s side door.
“Get on the f—–g ground,” the officers yelled as one of them pressed a taser onto Nichols’ leg.
Nichols can be heard saying, “you guys are really doing a lot right now, I just want to go home.”
The officers then pepper sprayed Nichols and attempted to tase him, but he still managed to run away.
The officers pursued Nichols to a nearby intersection in a residential area. When they caught up to Nichols minutes later, the shaky bodycam video shows Nichols lying on a street sidewalk with at least two of the officers pinning him down to the ground.
The violent apprehension continues as Nichols is grabbed by two of the officers while two others punched him repeatedly on his torso and head area. The officers appeared to take turns beating Nichols during the assault. At one point, one of the officers circles Nichols while he is on the floor.
Throughout the assault, Nichols can be heard screaming in agony. “Mom!,”, Nichols can be heard calling for his mother multiple times as the officers punch, pull and pepper spray him. The screams are eerily similar to George Floyd’s last moments as officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee into his neck.
“Gimme your hands. Give me your f—ing,” one officer yells…
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