Memphis’ fifth-year basketball coach was asked Thursday night if he had any comment on the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols due to injuries sustained at a traffic stop.

Attorneys for the family of Tyre Nichols have released a letter calling for an end to law enforcement units like that of Memphis Police Department’s SCORPION.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center announced schedule alterations for Friday, Jan. 27.

“We’ve all seen videos where there is police brutality,” Ballin said. “We’re urging the public to reserve judgement.”

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, in his first video statement on the Nichols incident said the city and Memphis Police Department must work to “regain the public’s trust.”

The officers who were booked Thursday are Tadarrius Bean, 24; Demetrius Haley, 30; Emmitt Martin III, 30; Desmond Mills Jr., 32; and Justin Smith, 28. 

“While each of the five individuals played a different role in the incident in question, the actions of all of them resulted in the death of Tyre Nichols and they are all responsible,” Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy said.

In a recorded statement released late Wednesday evening, Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said other MPD officers, besides the five already fired last week for violating department policies in Tyre Nichols’ death, are under investigation.

Memphians, who already feel beleaguered by violent crime that at times seems out of control, must now come to grips with the fact that elements within the police department — however small — are partakers of criminal violence themselves.

The unit identifies upticks in motor vehicle thefts and violent crime and then targets those areas with patrolling SCORPION officers.