By Nouran Salahieh, Holly Yan and Nick Valencia, CNN
An initial police report filed in the hours after the Tyre Nichols traffic stop suggested he was violent and made claims that were contradicted by video later released by police.
Nichols was subdued on the ground yet continuously beaten after the stop by Memphis police on January 7. He died three days later.
The initial police report said Nichols “started to fight” with officers and at one point grabbed one of their guns. But neither claim was substantiated by police videos released last week.
And despite the fact that the videos don’t appear to show Nichols fighting back, the report identified Nichols as a suspect in an aggravated assault.
The police report did not mention the officers punching and kicking Nichols.
One of the officers at the scene – who has since been charged with second-degree murder – was described in the report as a “victim.”
The report also claimed Nichols, who was Black, was pulled over for reckless driving at a high speed – another claim that is not substantiated by video of the encounter.
While authorities have not released the police report, a photo of a police report was posted by a controversial Memphis radio talk show host. The police report account was first reported by The New York Times.
Shelby County District Attorney spokesperson Erica Williams told CNN “the DA does have a report that has that same account of events.”
The report said Nichols was irate and sweating profusely when he got out of his vehicle and refused lawful detention by law enforcement. The use of pepper spray and a Taser stun gun had no effect on Nichols, the report stated.The report also listed E. Martin as a “victim.” One of the five officers charged with second-degree murder in Nichols’ death is Emmitt Martin III.
HPS Magazine 