SCORPION Unit 'permanently deactivated' after Tyre Nichols death

The five former officers charged in the incident were in the unit.

Last Updated: January 29, 2023, 9:28 PM EST

Officials in Memphis, Tennessee, released dramatic body camera footage Friday of the fatal confrontation between Tyre Nichols and five police officers.

Nichols can be heard screaming "mom" several times during the gut-wrenching clips, which appear to show officers beating and pepper-spraying him after he ran from a traffic stop arrest.

Nichols died at the age of 29 on Jan. 10, three days after the violent confrontation.

The five Memphis Police Department officers involved in his arrest -- Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith -- were fired and then charged with second-degree murder in connection with Nichols' death.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 27, 2023, 7:15 PM EST

Body camera footage released

Memphis officials have now released the footage of Nichols' confrontation with police.

Four videos were shared to Vimeo by the city of Memphis.

The videos included the warning: "Footage contains graphic content and language. Some may find offense. Viewer discretion is advised."

This still image from a Memphis Police Department body-cam video released on January 27, 2023, shows a police officer aiming a tazer towards Tyre Nichols, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis Police Department/AFP via Getty Images

The city shared footage from three bodyworn cameras, as well as a pole camera, amounting to about 67 minutes total.

The first clip is a body camera video that shows the initial traffic stop where Nichols is pulled out of his car. Nichols can be heard at one point saying calmly, "You guys are really doing a lot right now -- stop, I’m just trying to go home," as he's laying on the ground, before he manages to break free and runs away.

The second clip is city surveillance video taken from the second location, which shows Nichols being hit, kicked and punched by several of the officers, including the use of a baton.

The image from video released on Jan. 27, 2023, by the City of Memphis, shows Tyre Nichols on the ground as medics arrive during an attack by five Memphis police officers on Jan. 7, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn.
City of Memphis via AP

The third clip is body camera video which shows the officers beating Nichols, taken from the vantage point of the officer who can be seen hitting Nichols with a baton in the second clip.

The fourth clip is also body camera video, though less than two minutes in nothing is visible. Audio can be heard, including Nichols yelling out "mom" at least three times. The video becomes visible once again several minutes later, showing Nichols slumped on the ground next to a vehicle.

Nichols' family, who saw the footage earlier this week with their attorneys, supported its public release.

The city of Memphis released body camera footage of Tyre Nichols' confrontation with police officers and peaceful protests reportedly began in the community.
7:00

Video of fatal Tyre Nichols beating released

The city of Memphis released body camera footage of Tyre Nichols' confrontation with police officers and peaceful protests reportedly began in the community.
ABCNews.com

Jan 27, 2023, 6:47 PM EST

Biden speaks with Nichols' family ahead of body camera video release

President Joe Biden spoke with Nichols' mother and stepfather in a phone call Friday ahead of the footage's public release.

"He was a hell of a kid, a handsome boy," Biden said.

Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, told Biden that Nichols had her name tattooed on his arm.

"I do know that," Biden said. "I love it."

Ben Crump, the family's attorney, said on the call that the video will "evoke strong emotion," and urged U.S. lawmakers to watch.

"This gives you another opportunity to call for them to come back and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, so we can try to prevent the next Tyre Nichols from happening," Crump said.

"We're in full agreement," Biden said, noting that he passed an executive order on police reform, "but we got to get it for local police."

President Joe Biden spoke with Tyre Nichols’ mother and stepfather Friday afternoon to offer his condolences, a White House official said.
1:18

Biden speaks with Tyre Nichols' family ahead of bodycam video release

President Joe Biden spoke with Tyre Nichols’ mother and stepfather Friday afternoon to offer his condolences, a White House official said.
ABCNews.com

As he departed the White House for Camp David Friday evening, Biden recapped his call with Nichols' mother, which he said lasted about 10 to 15 minutes.

"I told her that I was going to be making the case to the Congress they should pass the George Floyd act. We should get this under control," he said. "I can only do so much in the executive order at the federal level."

The president also recounted that Wells called for peaceful protests.

"I'm obviously very concerned about it, but I think she has made a very strong plea," he said.

--with ABC News' Molly Nagle

Jan 27, 2023, 5:55 PM EST

Attorney representing ex-Memphis cop speaks out

The attorney representing former Memphis Police Officer Desmond Mills, one of the five charged in Tyre Nichols' death, spoke with ABC News Friday evening.

Blake Ballin said his client was "maintaining a lot of strength" in the last two weeks and asking how he can cooperate with the investigation.

Ballin said he couldn't comment on the details about the incident but contended that he didn't believe that Mills delivered the fatal blow.

The attorney added Mills was a responding officer and not the first to arrive on the scene.

"Everybody played their own role. I suspect you’ll see officers crossed the line but not Desmond," Ballin said.

The attorney said he didn't see the body camera footage of the incident, which is slated to be released to the public later tonight.

-ABC News' Stephanie Ramos

Jan 27, 2023, 3:56 PM EST

Biden spoke with Nichols' family, has not seen video

President Joe Biden has not seen the Tyre Nichols video that’s set to be released to the public Friday evening, but the president has spoken to Nichols’ family, according to the White House.

“He’s been briefed, but he has not seen the video, nor has anyone at the White House seen the video,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Friday.

Biden spoke with Nichols’ mother and stepfather Friday afternoon to offer his condolences, a White House official said.

Jean Pierre reiterated that Biden has echoed Nichols' family's calls for calm and peaceful protests. But the White House is “in coordination with the relevant agencies to ensure they prepare if protests become violent,” she added.

-ABC News’ Molly Nagle