SCORPION Unit 'permanently deactivated' after Tyre Nichols death

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

ByMeredith Deliso, Emily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, and Nadine El-Bawab
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.

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Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 27, 2023, 8:41 PM EST

EMTs not visible in video until over 22 minutes after beating ends

Among the four videos released by the city, the overhead surveillance wide-angle shot taken from a city surveillance camera offers a bird's-eye view of the beating. The footage is graphic and contains images that are disturbing.

Based on that footage, it appears that roughly 20 minutes lapse between the ending of the beating and the officers' first attempts to render aid to Nichols. EMTs are not visible in the video until more than 22 minutes after the end of the beating.

Tyre Nichols who was pulled over while driving by Memphis Police Department officers on January 7, 2023, in a screen grab from a video released by Memphis Police Department, Jan. 27, 2023.
Memphis Police Department/via Reuters

Additionally, there appears to be several more officers on the scene other than the five who were fired and charged in this case. Shortly after the beating ends, several other officers can be seen in the video. Those officers have not been identified. The local district attorney has said that more charges could be possible in the case.

-ABC News' Whitney Lloyd

Jan 27, 2023, 8:31 PM EST

Protests begin in Memphis, other cities

Protests following the release of the body camera footage began in Memphis with crowds gathering in the streets and calling Tyre Nichols' name.

Protesters march down the streets, Jan. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn.
Gerald Herbert/AP

The demonstrations were so far peaceful, but officers were on hand.

Protesters gather in Lafayette Park outside the White House in Washington, Jan. 26, 2023, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police.
Andrew Harnik/AP

Similar protests also took place in Washington, D.C , Philadelphia, Boston and Times Square.

People protest the release of a video showing the Memphis police beating of Tyre Nichols after he was pulled over while driving by Memphis police officers, in New York, Jan. 27, 2023.
Andrew Kelly/Reuters

People hold a vigil following the release of a video showing the Memphis police beating of Tyre Nichols after he was pulled over while driving by Memphis police officers, in Boston, Jan. 27, 2023.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

There were no immediate reports of arrests at any of the protests in the other cities.

Jan 27, 2023, 7:55 PM EST

DA explains why video release was delayed

Shelby County DA Steven Mulroy released a statement following the release of the body camera footage.

Mulroy said the video was delayed because "it it was important to make sure witnesses spoke first from their memory and nothing else."

"As D.A., I have always sought to balance out the rightful demands of the community with protecting the integrity of our investigation and prosecution," Mulroy said in a statement.

The DA reiterated calls for peaceful protest as the investigation continues.

"It’s my hope that this tragedy can lead to a broader conversation on police reform," he said.

-ABC News' Whitney Lloyd

Jan 27, 2023, 7:51 PM EST

Biden reacts to release of body camera footage

President Joe Biden released a statement following the release of the body camera footage of the police encounter with Tyre Nichols.

"Like so many, I was outraged and deeply pained to see the horrific video of the beating that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death. It is yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and brown Americans experience every single day," he said.

"We must do everything in our power to ensure our criminal justice system lives up to the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment, and dignity for all," the president added. "Real and lasting change will only come if we take action to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again."