The five Memphis police officers who were fired in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop on Jan. 7 have each been charged with murder and are in custody Thursday, according to Shelby County, Tennessee, jail records.
Nichols' stepfather Rodney Wells told ABC News earlier this week that they are seeking a first-degree murder charge, but Mulroy told press that he met with the family about the charges brought today and "expedited" the investigation.
According to the department, the officers violated policies for use of force, duty to intervene and duty to render aid. This announcement comes after MPD Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis released a statement including that the five officers were "directly responsible for the physical abuse" of Nichols and that the video footage of the incident was "heinous, reckless and inhumane."
"Due to the nature of the video's contents it is believed it may spark responses outside of the traditional protests," the letter read. "There is a public safety risk potential to communities and peace officers expanding outside of the Shelby County TN area."
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