Shelby County medical examiners reportedly ruled the death of man who died from blunt force traumu by police a homicide.
Memphis, Tennessee, police pulled Tyre Nichols over for a traffic stop January 10. Police at the time reported Nichols ran from police after a confrontation. Five officers punched, kicked and beat him with a baton, according to surveillance camera footage released by Memphis Police Department.
The five officers were fired and charged with second-degree homicide and aggravated assault after Nichols died in a hospital days after the incident.
Fox News further reported:
Tyre Nichols’ official autopsy report shows that he likely died from blunt force trauma after a January traffic stop by police in Memphis, Tennessee, turned violent.
Nichols died days later after the Jan. 7 traffic stop.
The Memphis Police Department said Nichols was stopped for alleged “reckless driving.” During the traffic stop, a “confrontation occurred,” police said, which led to Nichols running away from officers.
When officers caught up with Nichols, officials say that another confrontation occurred, which led to Nichols complaining about shortness of breath.
“While attempting to take the suspect into custody, another confrontation occurred; however, the suspect was ultimately apprehended,” MPD said. “Afterward the suspect complained of having shortness of breath, at which point an ambulance was called to the scene.”
Nichols was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but died on Jan. 10.
The medical examiners’ report reviewed by Nichols’ family through their attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, on Wednesday states that the manner of death is a homicide and Nichols died from blunt force trauma, according to the Commercial Appeal.
Crump and Romanucci stated the report they obtained from the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office is consistent with an independent review done earlier.
“The legal team representing the family of Tyre Nichols acknowledges the release of the medical examiner’s report, the contents of which are highly consistent with our own reporting back in January of this year,” the attorneys said. “We know now what we knew then — Tyre Nichols died from blunt force trauma and the manner of death was homicide. The official autopsy report further propels our commitment to seeking justice for this senseless tragedy.”
Five Memphis police officers were fired after the incident and are being charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault as well as other charges.
Officers can be seen punching, kicking, and striking Nichols with a baton several times in body camera video released by Memphis police.
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