Two more Tennessee law enforcement officers were relieved of duty after the release of graphic video that showed authorities pulling over and violently beating Tyre Nichols, who died three days later.
The suspension of the Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies comes after five officers from the Memphis, Tennessee, police department were terminated and charged in connection with Nichols’ death.
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said both deputies “appeared on the scene following the physical confrontation between [Memphis] police and Tyre Nichols.” He did not provide further details, but noted he has “concerns” about the Shelby County deputies after watching footage of the traffic stop that culminated in Nichols death.
Bonner noted he viewed the video for the first time on Friday, after it was made available to the general public.
An internal investigation is underway and both “deputies have been relieved of duty pending the outcome” of the probe, Bonner said.
Nichols was pulled over in the Memphis’ Hickory Hill neighbor the night of Jan. 7 on suspicion of reckless driving. Disturbing bodycam video shows a group of officers punching, kicking and pepper-spraying Nichols as he calls out for help. At one point, he manages to escape, but authorities are able to catch up, and then they continue the beating.
An ambulance was also called to the scene after 29-year-old Nichols complained of shortness of breath. He was hospitalized and died three days later.
So far, five Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder.
Earlier Friday, Bonner vowed he would do everything in his power to prevent similar “senseless” tragedies from occurring in the future.
“I am a second-generation law enforcement officer, and I am troubled by what we all saw captured on video,” he said in a statement. “This horrible incident tarnished the badge that I wear, and many other good officers wear every day.”
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