On Sunday, the Memphis Police Department finally released a statement regarding its investigation into the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols’.
MPD said the department is “serving notice to officers involved in the case of Tyre Nichols of impending administrative action.”
Chief CJ Davis said, “After reviewing various sources of information involving this incident, I have found that it is necessary to take immediate and appropriate action. Today, the department is serving notice to the officers involved of the impending administrative actions.”
This week, a required procedural process must be completed before MPD can discipline or terminate the employees.
“While we must complete the investigation process, it is our top priority to ensure that swift justice is served. We want citizens to know that we are prepared to take immediate and appropriate actions based on what the findings determine,” said Mayor Jim Strickland.
These statements come almost a week after Nichols was pulled over.
On January 7th, Nichols was allegedly pulled over for reckless driving.
Upon approaching his car, Nichols fled after what they described as a “confrontation.”
Police say there was another confrontation before he was arrested. Afterward, he complained of shortness of breath and was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Nichols’ sister, Kenyana Dixon, claims police pulled her brother over in an unmarked vehicle, wearing hoodies, which caused him to panic.
“I’m gone see this in my brain for the rest of my life to the day I die,” Dixon said. “If he did run like I said, he was scared. He was scared. He had nothing on him. A traffic stop is supposed to be a traffic stop for anybody.”
According to reports, his family has retained a nationally known civil rights attorney.
“If there is any, which assume there will be if there’s any police misconduct, we would like to see officers in this case charged, every last one of them,” said activist Paula Buress.
