Punched, kicked and tasered: Timeline of violent arrest of Tyre Nichols
Tyre Nichols was punched, kicked and tasered, beaten with a baton and had pepper spray used on him during a violent arrest by police in Memphis, video footage shows.
The father-of-one died three days after the beating he received on 7 January and five officers have been charged with second-degree murder.
Police initially said Mr Nichols had been stopped for reckless driving and that a “confrontation” occurred in an effort to detain him.
However Memphis police chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said a review of the incident could not “substantiate” the reckless driving claim.
Here is a timeline of the crucial moments from the footage – released by police – that recorded events from 8.24pm to 9pm.
8:24pm
This is the first sight of Mr Nichols’ car, already stopped at a junction where two officers order him to get out of his vehicle.
One of the officers opens the driver’s door and drags the 29-year-old out.
Mr Nichols can be heard telling them: “Damn, I didn’t do anything.”
8.25pm
As he is forced to the ground and sworn at, Mr Nicols can be heard trying to pacify the police saying: “All right, all right.”
One of the officers tells him: “I’m going to tase your ass.”
Mr Nichols says: “All right, I’m on the ground… Stop, stop… You guys are really doing a lot right now. I’m just trying to go home… Stop. I’m not doing anything.”
He then breaks free and runs away in the direction of his mother’s house.
An officer fires his Taser and police chase after him.
8.26pm to 8.31pm
There is no video of Mr Nichols during this time, when apparently two officers catch and detain Mr Nichols.
8:31pm
Mr Nichols is seen on the ground being subdued by two officers, less than half a mile from where the traffic stop happened.
8:33pm
A third officer arrives on the scene.
One of them says: “Do you want to get sprayed again?”
Two officers can then be seen punching and slapping Mr Nichols as he lies on the ground trying to protect his head from the blows and screaming: “Mom. Mom.”
The newly arrived officer tells his colleagues to “watch out” before spraying Mr Nichols, who again cried out: “Mom. Mom.”
His mother’s house is just a short distance away.
An officer then orders Mr Nichols to “give me your hands.”
A fourth policeman arrives on the scene.
Mr Nichols is then sprayed again which apparently also hits another officer, who can be heard swearing.
8.34pm
One of the officers kicks Mr Nichols in the face twice.
The officer who had stepped away returns and says, “I’m going to baton the f*** out of you” raising his stick.
8.35pm
The officer with the baton hits Mr Nichols with it three times as other officers begin to stand him up.
One officer punches Mr Nichols at least five times in the head while two others hold him up.
He falls to the ground and officers hold him down.
8.36pm
A fifth officer arrives on scene and kicks Mr Nichols, before another officer kicks him.
A sixth and seventh officer arrive who appear to observe the scene. One of them makes a call on his radio.
8.37pm
Officers step back with Mr Nichols now in handcuffs.
8:38pm
Mr Nichols is dragged across the ground and propped sitting up against a patrol car.
8.40pm
Officers stand around discussing the incident, laughing and joking.
One complains about having hurt his leg.
8.41pm
Mr Nichols slumps to his right to the ground.
“Hey, sit up, bro,” one officer says. Mr Nichols is grabbed by the arm and pulled back into a sitting position.
Two emergency medical staff arrive but is unclear what treatment if any is given.
8.41pm to 8.55pm
Mr Nichols remains on the ground as officers mill around.
One leans down and tells him: “You can’t go nowhere.”
8.55pm to 9pm
Emergency workers appear to begin tending to Mr Nichols again as he is propped up against the police car.
9pm
A stretcher is wheeled into the area and two minutes later an ambulance arrives.
9.18pm
Mr Nichols complains of difficulty breathing and is taken to hospital.
A post-mortem examination later reveals he “suffered excessive bleeding caused by a severe beating”.
The King has written to former US president Joe Biden after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Buckingham Palace said
The monarch, who is undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, hosted the 82-year-old for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023.
Mr Biden was diagnosed on Friday, with tests revealing the cancer had spread to his bones.
The former president posted an image of himself and his wife Jill on X on Monday and wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The King and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle in July 2023. Pic: Reuters
The King’s letter comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns around his age and fitness to serve, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election race and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X after his diagnosis: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
Read more from Sky News:
UK and EU sign reset deal – live updates
Gary Lineker to leave BBC next week
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media that he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
Politicians have sent messages of support to Joe Biden, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old, who is the oldest person to ever serve as US president, was described as a “fighter” with people wishing him a “fast and full recovery”.
US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns for his health, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 election and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
Read more from Sky News:
UK and EU sign reset deal – live updates
Gary Lineker to leave BBC next week
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
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