It is unclear whether the officer, who has not been identified, will face charges.
The fallout from the fatal beating of Tyree Nichols continued Monday. When the Memphis Police Department said a seventh police officer.
In a statement, the agency did not identify the seventh officer. Or say whether the person will face departmental or criminal charges.
“The actions and inactions of Officer Preston Hemphill. And other officers have been and continue since an investigation began.” On Jan. 8, the day after the traffic stop in Nichols. And the day the seven officers were relieved of duty, the department said. .
The statement added that “many” upcoming charges are being made. It is unclear which officials will be charged.
“We expect the next phase of personnel action in the coming days,” the department said in a statement.
Hemphill’s lawyer, Lee Gerald, confirmed Monday that body camera video released. Last week showed Hemphill running from officers during. The initial stop and firing a stun gun at Nichols.
Gerald said the officer was never present at the scene where the five officers charged.
“Hemphill’s actions and involvement remain under investigation as he participated. In the initial traffic stop and use of a TASER,” the department said in its statement Monday. Five other officers — Tadarius Bean, Demetrius Haley. Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith. Were fired Jan. 20 after an administrative investigation found. They violated the department’s policy on use of force.
Prosecutors announced last week. That the five former officials are charged with second-degree murder. Two counts of official misconduct, two counts of aggravated kidnapping. One count of official oppression and one count of aggravated assault.
Asked why the police department did not announce disciplinary action against Hemphill. On the same day it announced the firing of five other officers. That answer wasn’t enough for Nichols family attorney Ben Crump.
“The news today from Memphis officials. Why is his identity and the role he played in Tyre’s death coming to light now? he asked.
Crump added: “We’ve said from the beginning. That the Memphis Police Department would be transparent. With the family and the community — this news indicates that they didn’t rise to the occasion. And today There is enough discipline and accountability. The Memphis Police Department owes us all the answers.” Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy’s office said Monday. That authorities “worked extraordinarily quickly. But thoroughly to bring charges against those whose crimes clearly. And directly contributed to Mr. Nichols’ death” but that the investigation is not over.
“The current charges do not prevent us from adding. More charges as more information is presented. We look at all the people involved in the Tyree Nichols beating before, during and after. This includes officers present at the initial encounter who have not. And those who later attended to document the incident,” Mulroy’s office said in a statement.
‘Relieving someone from duty is not their dismissal’
At least one city official said the discipline against Hemphill doesn’t go far enough.
“For the record, removing someone from office is not firing them.” City Council Vice Chair JB Smiley Jr. tweeted. Ending the post with “#firePrestonHemphill” and “#justicefortyre.”
A representative of the union representing rank-and-file officers, the Memphis Police Association.
Nichols, 29, a black man who was an amateur photographer. And died three days after the traffic stop. Many police videos show officers punching, kicking and hitting him with batons.
There were three videos from police body cameras. And one video from a police surveillance camera mounted on a pole. A body camera video shows Nichols fleeing while he was on the ground.
Nichols managed to run to her mother’s neighborhood and was about 80 yards from her home. When video shows many officers assaulting her as she repeatedly yells, “Mom!”
‘I’ll take one of your–‘
Hemphill’s attorney cited body camera video showing. An officer approaching a traffic stop and pointing a gun. “You’re going to blow your a–,” shouted another.
An officer pulled Nichols out of the car, the video shows.
Many officers hovered around him, according to the video, as he lay on the ground. They sometimes shout conflicting orders at him in a chaotic scene.
“I’ll take one of yours,” shouts an officer.
The officers yelled at Nichols as he lay on the ground with his hands behind his back. He is on his side on the ground, with one officer holding his arm and one holding the other, the video shows.
Nichols says, “Okay, dude, dang!” At one point, and “You’re really doing a lot right now. … I’m just trying to get home.”
Nichols, during a struggle on the ground. managed to break free from the officers, according to the video. An officer then fired a stun gun at him as he ran.
That officer chased him for a short distance before stopping, the video shows.
“A prong hit B——,” the officer added, referring to the stun gun he fired, according to the video.
Fallout from traffic stops hurt other agencies
Nichols’ traffic stop and fatal beating spread beyond the Memphis Police Department to other agencies.
Three fire department employees were fired Monday. For allegedly violating “numerous” department policies and protocols. The agency said in a statement.
The department did not list the charges. It said the two employees — both EMTs — “failed to adequately assess Mr. Nichols.”
A third employee, a lieutenant, was in his vehicle, the department said.
Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. announced Friday night after seeing the video for the first time.
Bonner said he was “concerned about the two deputies who attended the scene. after the physical altercation between police and Tyre Nichols.“