The United States Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the FBI Memphis Field Office and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, has opened a civil rights investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols.

Nichols, 29, died Jan. 10, three days after being injured during an incident with Memphis police officers. Kevin G. Ritz, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, issued a statement regarding the investigation.

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“Last week, Tyre Nichols tragically died, a few days after he was involved in an incident where Memphis Police Department officers used force during his arrest,” Ritz said. “State authorities have publicly announced that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating.”

In addition, the United States Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the FBI Memphis Field Office and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, has opened a civil rights investigation. As this is an open investigation, we are not able to provide additional comment or release further information at this time.”

The City of Memphis will fully cooperate with the investigation, according to a statement released in response to Ritz’s announcement.

“We are aware that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and US Department of Justice are conducting a civil rights investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols,” the city’s statement said. “The City of Memphis and MPD will fully cooperate with these agencies and provide them with what is needed to conduct their investigation.”

A memorial service was held for Nichols Tuesday, Jan. 17, the day before Ritz’s statement went out.

Minutes before the service, the city and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced they planned to release body camera footage of the traffic stop that led to Nichols’ death. 

The footage will be released following MPD’s internal investigation, which is separate from TBI’s and estimated to be completed by the end of the week, and after Nichols’ family privately views the footage.

“We understand and agree that transparency around the events surrounding the death of Mr. Tyre Nichols is critically important, especially the release of the video footage,” a statement from the city read. 

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said the city has spoken with Ben Crump, the attorney representing the Nichols family, and that a meeting with the family and city leaders is being arranged and tentatively set for early next week.

Following the incident, MPD said officers were attempting to stop Nichols for reckless driving. A Twitter post from MPD stated there was a “confrontation” as officers approached Nichols and that he fled on foot. They caught up to Nichols and there was another confrontation before he was in police custody.

Nichols complained of shortness of breath and an ambulance was called. Nichols was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in critical condition.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy requested a TBI investigation into the incident the night that it occurred.

City pledges to release Nichols incident police body cam footage next week

Davis announced this past Sunday that the officers, who to date have not been identified, would face administrative charges for violating police department policies.

“After reviewing various sources of information involving this incident, I have found that it is necessary to take immediate and appropriate action,” Davis said. “Today, the department is serving notice to the officers involved of the impending administrative actions.”

Mulroy said Tuesday that his office is focused on a rapid release of the police camera video.

“Our office is committed to transparency and understands the reasonable request from the public to view the video footage,” Mulroy said. “However, we must ensure we abide by applicable laws and ethical rules so that we do not jeopardize an ongoing investigation or prosecution. We’re working with the appropriate agencies to determine how quickly we can release the video and will do so as soon as we can.”