orange county, florida – The US witnessed the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols, who died in hospital Friday after a group of Memphis police officers dragged him out of his car, held him down, punched him, kicked him, threw him a baton and pepper-sprayed him. Father of 1-year-old for ruthlessly beating likened to Rodney King’s assault in 1991 when he rebelled.
Reactions also occurred in central Florida as local leaders, from politicians to law enforcement, issued statements condemning the deadly actions of Tennessee police officers and offering condolences to Nichols’ family, friends and loved ones. is being asked.
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“I am devastated and outraged by the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers. They are a disgrace to our noble profession. We are delighted that they were killed and that they were charged with murder for these heinous acts,” said Orange County Sheriff John Mina. in a statement“My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Nichols. When horrific incidents of this nature occur, wherever they occur, public confidence in law enforcement is undermined.”
Nichols died on January 10, three days after calling his mother and trying to talk her out of a confrontation that would ultimately prove fatal.
“Honestly how I feel right now. I’ve been a cop for 35 years and I’ve probably never seen a more reprehensible police video. The Memphis footage made me want to vomit. Watching George Floyd.” I felt the same disgust and disbelief that I felt when I saw Tyre Nichols again,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. in a statementpartly adds that “the sanctity of human life comes first.”
The five police officers who were seen beating Nichols — Tadarius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith — were subsequently fired, taken into custody, and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, and murder, respectively. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping and obstruction of justice. And the official crackdown on Thursday. Four of them had been released on bail by Friday morning, according to prison records.
“The actions of these five former Memphis, Tennessee police officers are unacceptable and do not reflect the vast majority of hardworking public servants who risk their lives every day to serve our communities. said Seminole County Sheriff Denise Lemma.He said in a statement“…our heartfelt condolences to the Tyre Nichols family and the community of Memphis during this tragic and difficult time. It is still possible to modernize the police profession, but events such as this one.” It is important to recognize that it undermines public trust.”
Additionally, two sheriffs at the scene were relieved of duty as of Friday night pending an internal investigation, according to Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. was convicted of second-degree murder and faces a sentence of 15 to 60 years in a Tennessee prison.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tyre Nichols’ family and friends, and the entire Memphis community,” said Kissimmee Police Chief Jeff O’Dell. in a statement“The brutality of these former police officers is unacceptable in our profession.”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on Twitter shared the U.S. Conference of Mayors statement regarding Nichols’ death, expressing outrage and appealing for personal safety.
“People are right to be angry and demand change, but violence does not promote justice. “We stand with leaders across the country in calling for fair and honest action. Mayors of the United States are committed to continuing their efforts to improve public safety and foster a sense of well-being in their communities,” the statement said. I’m here.
Local state representatives such as Maxwell Frost of District D 10 also said they were heartbroken for those who knew and loved Nichols.
“This video reveals that our system is currently non-functional. Body cameras and further training are not enough. Police officers abuse their power at work, beating Americans to death in the streets. “We need to change the police culture in this country. Violence is not and will never be the answer,” Frost said in a statement.
Congressman Anna Escamani, District D 42, share A photo of Nichols smiling and a quote from his mother, Law Vaughan Wells.
“It’s still a nightmare,” RowVaughn Wells told CNN Friday before the video was released.
“I’m still trying to figure all this out, and I’m trying to get my head around all this,” Wells said.
— Congressman Anna V. Escamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) January 28, 2023
The country geared up for protests ahead of Friday’s release of the video.
President Joe Biden on Friday spoke to Wells by phone and commented on her pain in a public statement, saying he called on the protests to keep the peace as more innocent lives are at stake. Stated.
“I’m obviously very concerned about it[violence]but I think she made a very strong plea. She’s obviously in a lot of pain,” Biden said.
View or click the video provided by the City of Memphis below here.
[Warning: The videos are extremely graphic. Viewer discretion is advised]
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