Memphis Police Officer Admits He Did Not Witness Alleged Reckless Driving That Led to Traffic Stop of Tyre Nichols, Sparking Outrage and $5 Million Lawsuit from Monterrious Harris.

Memphis, TN – A Memphis Police officer has admitted that he did not witness the alleged reckless driving that was the justification for pulling over Tyre Nichols last month, according to police documents. Officer Preston Hemphill’s own body camera showed that from the very beginning of the traffic stop he and two other officers approached Nichols with force that was disproportionate for the alleged offense of reckless driving.

The incident has sparked outrage in the Memphis community, and now another Black man has come forward claiming he was the victim of a similar assault. Monterrious Harris has filed a $5 million lawsuit against the officers and the City of Memphis, claiming he was attacked on Jan. 4, just three days before Nichols was beaten.

The Jan. 7 traffic stop quickly escalated into a beating, and Nichols died three days later. He was booked on a charge of gun possession as a convicted felon. Harris claims that the officer accused him of reaching for a gun, which he denies.

Attorneys for the five charged officers had no comment on the lawsuit. The incident has sparked outrage in the Memphis community, with many calling for justice for both Tyre Nichols and Monterrious Harris.

The Memphis Police Department has not yet released a statement on the incident, and it is unclear what action, if any, will be taken in response to the lawsuit.