BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. issued a statement following the release of the video footage showing Tyre Nichols’ arrest.
Carter says that he is thankful that the officers were fired and arrested and called on the public to expose excessive force used by police. The former officers were fired for misconduct and taken into custody but were released on bond.
“As a Black man and the father of two boys – I am heartbroken,” he said.
Carter called the Nichols’ murder “gruesome” and said he had no words to describe his pain.
The videos, which consist of both body camera footage and street surveillance footage, were released on Friday, Jan. 27. Viewer discretion is advised when watching the videos.
The 29-year-old died in a Memphis hospital three days after his encounter with police.
Read Carter’s full statement below.
“There are no words to describe the pain I feel seeing the gruesome murder of Tyre Nichols. As a Black man and the father of two boys – I am heartbroken. There is no logic, no explanation, for the level of cruelty shown by these officers in response to a driving stop. We can and must call out the use of excessive force by the police. Without accountability and transparency, Black Americans will continue to die at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve.
“I am thankful that the officers involved were quickly fired, arrested, and charged when so many times before that has not been the case. This is the level of response we should always expect in instances of police brutality.”
Congressman Troy A. Carter
