Maryland officials react following release of camera footage showing arrest of Tyre Nichols

BALTIMORE — Maryland officers reacted to the discharge of video footage exhibiting the battle between Tyre Nichols and Memphis law enforcement officials previous to his demise.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued an announcement after viewing the body-worn digicam footage exhibiting the battle, noting that it was tough to not struggle again tears.

“The inhumanity that was proven to Tyre Nichols, a younger skateboarder and beginner photographer, is insupportable by anyone, however particularly by individuals whose job and accountability it was to guard him,” Moore mentioned. “I am grateful that the Division of Justice is engaged on this investigation, and these 5 people should be held to account for his or her barbarism.”

Prince George’s County State’s Legal professional Aisha Braveboy mentioned her coronary heart went out to Nichols’ household.

“What makes his demise much more unconscionable is that 5 people who have been sworn to uphold the legislation have been accountable for this tragedy,” she mentioned. “The movies are graphic and heartbreaking; nonetheless, the general public has a proper to know the actions that the previous officers took on that fateful day.”

In Annapolis, Anne Arundel County Government Steuart Pittman mentioned he felt sorrow after watching “Nichols’ violent arrest.”

“We noticed the worst of humanity within the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols by 5 Memphis law enforcement officials, and we noticed one of the best of humanity within the response of his mom, Mrs. RowVaughn Wells.” 

Anne Arundel County Chief of Police Amal Awad additionally described the arrest as a “violent” encounter that led to “the mindless lack of a beloved son.”   

“We’re all left with emotions of grief, dismay, and trauma,” she mentioned.

Awad mentioned the actions of the officers in Memphis weren’t consultant of officers throughout the nation.

“These 5 people’ actions should not consultant of the tons of of 1000’s of legislation enforcement professionals who reply the decision to serve, and who stay selflessly invested in our communities day-after-day,” she mentioned.  

In Baltimore, metropolis officers issued an announcement in response to the launched physique digicam footage.

Baltimore Metropolis State’s Legal professional Ivan Bates, Mayor Brandon Scott, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison, and the Mayor’s Workplace of Neighborhood Security and Engagement Director Shantay Jackson issued a joint assertion addressing potential response to the digicam footage.

“The demise of Tyre Nichols is a stark reminder of the brutality Black individuals proceed to face day by day on this nation and the way a lot work stays for us to worth Black American lives,” the joint assertion mentioned. “Our hearts exit to his household and family members as they mourn the lack of their son and demand justice for his premature demise. His household mustn’t need to endure the heartache of dropping a liked one by the hands of these sworn to guard and serve their neighborhood.”  

The footage underscores “the speedy want for nationwide police reform coverage and practices to enshrine constitutional and moral legislation enforcement,” the assertion mentioned.

“For individuals who could select to grieve or start their therapeutic processes by exercising their 1st Modification proper to protest, we encourage you to honor the desires of the Nichols household and accomplish that with out the additional perpetuation of violence and trauma. With this in thoughts, we will probably be partnering to make sure that a secure setting exists for everybody.”

Nichols was stopped by officers for reckless driving on Jan. 7, in accordance with an announcement from the Memphis Police Division.

The 29-year-old father obtained right into a “confrontation” with the officers earlier than he fled, police mentioned. A second confrontation occurred in some unspecified time in the future earlier than he was in the end arrested, in accordance with authorities..

Police mentioned that, following the arrest, Nichols “complained of getting a shortness of breath, at which era an ambulance was referred to as.” 

Nichols was taken to a hospital in crucial situation, police mentioned. 

Three days later, on Jan. 10, Nichols “succumbed to his accidents,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation mentioned, however didn’t elaborate on what these accidents have been. An official reason behind demise has not been launched.

5 former Memphis law enforcement officials have been fired and charged with homicide within the demise of Nichols.