Scheffler reportedly bypassed traffic to use the Valhalla players' entrance when he arrived for the second round of the PGA Championship last week. Unknown to him, a car crash involving a shuttle bus had happened an hour before he got there, causing the death of a tournament worker, later identified as 69-year-old John Mills.
Despite apparent warnings from authorities, Scheffler continued to the golf course, leading to his arrest and placement in the back of a police car.
He was then taken to a local station and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and ignoring signals from officers directing traffic. It was expected that footage from the arresting officer's bodycam would be released, but according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, the footage was either lost or the camera was not activated.
"The officer did not have his bodycam turned on during the incident," stated the Mayor. "We will release the footage that we have. We did not have any - to my knowledge. We have not discovered any video of the initial contact between Officer Gillis and Mr. Scheffler."
In a press conference held by Louisville Police, it was confirmed that Detective Gillis breached LMPD policy by not having his body-worn camera operational. This information was revealed by the Louisville Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, who mentioned: "Detective Gillis did not have his body-worn camera operational ready. Our officer has received corrective action for his policy violation. We respect the judicial process, and we will allow the courts to proceed."
Although there have been whispers about potential dropped charges, the trial is expected to continue as planned. Steve Romines, the lawyer for golfer Scheffler, remains assertive about his client's innocence, staunchly claiming that the world No.1 "didn't do anything wrong."
In a police report assembled after last Friday's affairs, it was highlighted: "The subject [Scheffler] refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground."
Having been processed and let go, Scheffler hastened back to the green to participate in the second round just short hours following his arrest. After clocking a commendable five-under-par 66 round, the professional golfer addressed the previous incident, referring to it as a 'misunderstanding' and conveying his sympathies to Mr. Mills' family.
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His words were: "My sympathy goes to the family of Mr. Mills," he said. "I can't imagine what the family is going through this morning."
"He is trying to cross a street and he is now longer with us. I can't imagine what they are going through, I feel for them and I am sorry. My situation will get handled, it was just a chaotic situation and a big misunderstanding... With what happened outside, my heart goes out to the family."
As Scheffler's lawyer Romines has a scheduling conflict, the case is lined up to be heard on June 3.
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