The city of Memphis continues to work to contain the fallout following the beating death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols earlier this month. Nichols was killed by five police officers, who alleged that Nichols had been engaging in reckless driving. All five officers have been charged with murder, along with other crimes, for their involvement. Nichols and the five charged officers are all black.
The Memphis Police Department (MPD) has also removed two other officers, one of whom has been named. Neither officer has yet been charged criminally.
The five charged officers belonged to MPD’s SCORPION Unit, an anti-gang unit charged with reducing crime in high-crime areas of the city. The city police department has announced that unit will be disbanded, and investigations into the unit’s culture and methods are likely.
Nichols’ death has led to protests over police brutality, similar to the summer of 2020 demonstrations following the death of George Floyd. Violence and looting, while occurring at or following some demonstrations, has been far more subdued than in 2020.
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