Tire Nichols was punched, kicked and Tasered, beaten with a baton and pepper sprayed on him during a violent arrest by police in Memphis, video footage shows.
The father of a child died three days later shots which he received on January 7 and five officers were charged with second degree murder.
Police initially said Mr Nichols had been arrested for reckless driving and a ‘confrontation’ had occurred in a bid to detain him.
However, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said a review of the incident could not “substantiate” the reckless driving allegation.
Here’s a timeline of crucial moments in the footage – released by police – that recorded the events from 8:24 p.m. to 9 p.m.
8:24 p.m.
This is the first view of Mr. Nichols’ car, which had already stopped at a crossroads where two officers ordered him out of his vehicle.
One of the officers opens the driver’s door and drags the 29-year-old away.
Mr. Nichols can be heard telling them: “Damn, I didn’t do anything.”
8:25 p.m.
As he is thrown to the ground and sworn in, Mr Nicols can be heard trying to calm the police down, saying: “Okay, okay.”
One of the officers said, “I’m going to taser your ass.”
Mr Nichols says: “Okay, I’m down…Stop, stop…You guys are really doing a lot right now. I’m just trying to get home…Stop. I’m not do something.”
He then frees himself and flees towards his mother’s house.
An officer fires his Taser and the police pursue him.
8:26 p.m. to 8:31 p.m.
There is no video of Mr. Nichols during this time, when apparently two officers grab and detain Mr. Nichols.
8:31 p.m.
Mr Nichols is seen on the ground being restrained by two officers, less than half a mile from where the traffic stop happened.
8:33 p.m.
A third officer arrives on the scene.
One of them said, “Do you want to get sprayed again?”
Two officers can then be seen hitting and slapping Mr Nichols as he lies on the ground trying to protect his head from the blows and shouting: “Mum. Mum.”
The newly arrived officer told his colleagues to “be careful” before spraying Mr Nichols, who again shouted: “Mum. Mum.”
His mother’s house is a short distance away.
An officer then orders Mr Nichols to “shake my hand”.
A fourth policeman arrives on the scene.
Mr Nichols is then doused again, which also appears to hit another officer, who can be heard swearing.
8:34 p.m.
One of the officers kicks Mr. Nichols twice in the face.
The officer who had walked away comes back and says, “I’m going to hit you hard” raising his baton.
8:35 p.m.
The officer with the baton hits Mr. Nichols with it three times as other officers begin to pick him up.
An officer strikes Mr Nichols at least five times in the head while two others support him.
He falls to the ground and the officers hold him down.
8:36 p.m.
A fifth officer arrives at the scene and kicks Mr Nichols, before another officer kicks him.
A sixth and a seventh officer arrive who seem to observe the scene. One of them makes a call on his radio.
8:37 p.m.
Officers step back with Mr. Nichols now handcuffed.
8:38 p.m.
Mr. Nichols is dragged on the ground and leaned against a patrol car.
8:40 p.m.
The officers discuss the incident, laugh and joke.
One complains of having injured his leg.
8:41 p.m.
Mr. Nichols collapses on his right to the ground.
“Hey, sit down bro,” an officer said. Mr. Nichols is grabbed by the arm and brought back to a sitting position.
Two emergency medical personnel arrive but are unsure what treatment, if any, is being administered.
8:41 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.
Mr. Nichols stays on the ground as officers circle around.
One of them comes down and says to him, “You can’t go anywhere.”
8:55 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Rescuers appear to be starting to tend to Mr Nichols again as he is leaned against the police car.
9 p.m.
A stretcher is brought to the area and two minutes later an ambulance arrives.
9:18 p.m.
Mr. Nichols complains of breathing difficulties and is taken to hospital.
A post-mortem examination later reveals that he “suffered from excessive bleeding caused by a severe beating”.
