After five Memphis police officers were charged on Thursday in the death of Tyre Nichols following a traffic stop earlier this month, authorities say video footage of the fatal police encounter will be released to the public later today.
Amid concerns that the violent video will spark national outrage, officials have called for calm and for any demonstrations to be conducted in a civil manner. Nichols' attorney Ben Crump described the arrest as a prolonged, brutal attack that will "remind you of Rodney King in many regards," referencing the 1991 Los Angeles police beating that sparked riots and public outcry. Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was hospitalized after Memphis police used force to arrest him on January 7. He died from his injuries three days later.
