Crime

In a terrible way, the death of Tyre Nichols brings vindication to members of the Black community in Memphis who live in constant fear of the police. The fatal beating of the 29-year-old Nichols by five police officers tells the story many residents know by heart: that any encounter, including traffic stops, can be deadly if you're Black. Police conduct sweeps where units in unmarked cars roll into neighborhoods and armed plainclothes officers jump out, rushing traffic violators and issuing commands. It's resulted in community in fear, where people text, call and use social media to caution each other to stay inside or avoid the area when police operations are underway.

Officials say a sixth Memphis officer was fired Friday after an internal police investigation showed he violated multiple department policies in the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols, including rules surrounding the deployment of a stun gun. Preston Hemphill had previously been suspended as he was investigated for his role in the Jan. 7 of Nichols, who died three days later. Five Memphis officers have already been fired and charged with second-degree murder in Nichols’ death. Hemphill was the third officer at a traffic stop that preceded the violent arrest but was not where Nichols was beaten. Body camera footage from the initial stop has Hemphill saying that he stunned Nichols and “I hope they stomp his ass.”

The man charged with raping and killing a Tennessee kindergarten teacher during a pre-dawn run in Memphis last year has pleaded not guilty. The Daily Memphian reports Cleotha Henderson was indicted last week on charges that include first-degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping. The first-degree murder charge carries a sentence of life in prison or 60 calendar years. However, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office has indicated it may seek an enhanced sentence of life without parole or the death penalty. At his arraignment Friday, Henderson pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The car owned by a missing 74-year-old Florida Lyft driver has been found in North Carolina and the man who was driving it is wanted in connection with a homicide last week in southwest Florida. Authorities said Friday that Gary Levin has been missing since Monday, when his family believes he picked up a customer in Palm Beach County, Florida. His red 2022 Kia Stinger was spotted in Miami that day and later in north Florida. The vehicle was then seen Thursday evening in North Carolina and driver Matthew Flores was arrested following a police chase. Flores is a suspect in a slaying that occurred nearly a week before Levin went missing.

Tyre Nichols was brutally attacked by police in Memphis after they pulled him over Jan. 7. Video of the deadly beating was released to the public on Friday. Family and friends remember Nichols as a generous, lovable man who worked hard to be a good father to his 4-year-old son. He was passionate about photography. He was an avid skateboarder and hailed from Sacramento, California. He got stuck in Memphis during the coronavirus pandemic, but didn't mind because he was with his mother. They were close, and she says she's still in shock he won't walk through her door anymore.

Brian Vick was arrested this week on two dozen charges related to acts said to have occurred two decades ago.

Police say a Tennessee officer who was shot at a public library in Memphis while responding to a trespassing complaint remains in “extremely critical condition." Police updated the officer's condition Friday. He was hospitalized Thursday after a shooting at the Poplar-White Station Public Library. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said officers were called to the library and encountered a man who had been the subject of a trespassing complaint. The bureau said when officers attempted talking to the man, he pulled out a weapon and shot one of them. Authorities say the other officer drew his weapon, shooting and killing 28-year-old Torence Jackson Jr. of Indianapolis, who was Black. The two officers are also Black.

This is the second volleyball coach/teacher at Richmond Christian School to be convicted of having a relationship with an underage student in less than a year.