Video footage released Thursday, March 2, shows Shelby County Jail inmate Gershun Freeman’s fatal encounter with corrections officers in the facility at 201 Poplar Ave. on Oct. 5.

The struggle between Freeman and at least 10 officers lasted several minutes. According to an autopsy report conducted by the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, Freeman died from exacerbation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease after sustaining injuries during the event.

Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk’s office released the footage Thursday.

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s office initially called the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to investigate Freeman’s death. The Shelby County DA’s office recused itself from the investigation, and on Feb. 17, the Nashville DA’s office took over.

Gershun Freeman’s family seeks Justice Department investigation

The footage starts with corrections officers serving meals to the inmates. When the door to Freeman’s cell opened, he ran out with no clothing on and charged at the officers.

The officers fought back, and Freeman quickly fell to the ground. More corrections officers came to assist. 

The footage continues to show the struggle, including officers holding other officers back; Freeman clinging to an officer’s leg; and deputies spraying what appears to be a chemical agent at Freeman.

At one point, Freeman can be seen ascending a fourth-floor escalator and seemingly swatting at an officer before being knocked to the ground. Officers also can be seen kneeling and stepping on Freeman before he becomes still and a pool of blood can be seen beneath him.

Here is the video:

The autopsy report ruled Freeman’s death as a homicide. It also lists “probable psychotic disorder” as a contributing condition to his death. 

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner issued a statement, saying the full context was not included in the video.

“It is unfortunate that parts of the video are being shown out of context because the full video does show the erratic and violent behavior that led to the need to restrain Mr. Freeman,” Bonner said. “These corrections officers deserve a fair review of this case, and I will wait for additional information from the TBI and the investigating DA before taking further administrative action.”

Notable civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Freeman’s family; co-counsel attorney Jake Brown; and attorney Brice Timmons hosted a Feb. 17 press conference, urging the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into the case. 

The attorneys issued a statement Thursday.

New facts in death of Shelby County Jail inmate emerge

“The death of Gershun Freeman is yet another shocking example of police brutality in the Memphis and Shelby County criminal justice systems,” the statement reads. “The newly released footage is visual evidence that at least 10 officers brutalized and beat Gershun to death, when he was naked and clearly suffering from a mental health crisis. Gershun’s family thanks District Attorney Glenn Funk’s office for their transparency in this, and we are confident that their office will bring these officers to justice on the criminal side.”

When asked Feb. 17 if Crump’s firm would pursue litigation, Crump said he wants to have “criminal culpability” and “civil accountability.”