WARNING: CONTENTS OF THE BODY CAM VIDEO HYPERLINKED BELOW CONTAIN DISTURBING ELEMENTS
Tennessee leaders are weighing in on the body cam video released of a black man being beaten down by Memphis police officers, dying just days later.
Four videos of the interaction between the black man, Tyre Nichols, and five Memphis police officers were released by the Memphis Police Office on Vimeo Friday, one day after the officers were charged with murder in Nichols' death.
In the video, the 29-year-old FedEx worker cries out for his mother as he is brutally beaten by police for three minutes.
One of the officers can be heard saying, "I'm going to baton the f**k out of you."
Following the video being released, protests were held across the nation including cities like:
- Dallas
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Memphis
- Washington D.C.
- Philadelphia
In the wake of the raw video being made public, a few prominent Tennessee leaders have reacted to the rattling event.
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) found the video tough to watch and is praying for the Nichols family.
The footage released tonight is difficult to watch." Blackburn says. "My office has been in contact with DOJ and will continue to work with our federal and local officials. I am confident the Memphis Police Department and State of Tennessee will conduct a thorough investigation. Chuck and I are praying for the loved ones of Tyre Nichols and for peace in Memphis and across our state.
Senator Bill Hagerty also released a statement, saying he was was shaken by the video and that his heart is with the Nichols family. Similarly to President Biden, he also calls on the criminal justice system to do its duty.
Like so many across our state and nation, I am deeply disturbed by the video footage released this evening. My prayers are with Tyre Nichols' family as they endure unimaginable grief. My team and I have been closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with community leaders, local officials, and Governor Lee's office. At the federal level, I have asked the Department of Justice and FBI to keep my office apprised of their ongoing investigations. The criminal justice system must swiftly pursue accountability. I echo Governor Lee in urging a full, independent investigation to determine what happened and how to prevent such misconduct from ever happening again. My priority remains the community of Memphis and its citizens during this difficult time.
His family says that the reason he was pulled over by police in the first place was because he was taking a photo of the sunset. Today, he is dead.
STAY WITH FOX 17 NEWS for continuing coverage on the tragic Tyre Nichols story.
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