‘Keep fighting’: Nichols’ family speaks out at MLK church in Memphis
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(NewsNation) — The night before his funeral, Tyre Nichols’ family held a news conference to speak about recent developments in the case.
Nichols died Jan. 10, three days after he was violently beaten by Memphis police officers during a traffic stop. The involved officers were part of the Scorpion Squad unit, which has since been deactivated.
A total of five Memphis police officers and three emergency medical technicians have been fired, and an additional two police officers have been suspended in connection with Nichols’ death.
The news conference Tuesday was held at Mason Temple in Memphis, the same place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his last speech. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who will deliver the eulogy, and civil rights attorney Ben Crump, also delivered remarks.
“We will continue in Tyre’s name to head up to Martin’s Mountaintop,” Sharpton said. “That’s why we wanted to start this right on this sacred ground. This is holy ground. … And this family now is ours, and they’re in the hands of history, and they’re in the hands of those that would fight.”
Tyre Nichols’ stepfather, Rodney Wells, kept his speech short because of “the long fight” ahead. “Keep fighting for justice for our son,” Wells said.
Additional charges and discipline are likely to come as protocol was ignored by police and EMTs from the very first traffic stop, retired police officer and Fire Lieutenant Cedric Pryor said on “Morning in America.”
“In no way is this investigation over,” Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said in a statement, “We are looking at all individuals involved in the events leading up to, during, and after the beating of Tyre Nichols. This includes the officer present at the initial encounter who has not — so far — been charged, Memphis Fire Department personnel, and persons who participated in preparing documentation of the incident afterward.”
George Floyd’s family, Vice President Kamala Harris and several other members of the Biden Administration will be in attendance at the funeral ,as well, according to NewsNation’s Alex Caprariello.
This is story is developing. Refresh for updates.
