Memphis suspends 2 more officers, fires 3 first responders in Tire Nichols case

The firefighters of Memphis, in the United States, announced this Monday (30) the dismissal of three rescuers who were called to the care of Tire Nichols, a black man killed in early January after being violently beaten by five police officers, now accused of of homicide.

The five officers were also fired, and two other officers who were not present at the time of the attacks on Nichols were relieved of their duties.

Constable Preston Hemphill and an unnamed seventh officer have been suspended from the local department, although their involvement in the disastrous approach has not been clarified. They do not currently respond to any criminal charges, but investigations are still ongoing.

First responders Robert Long and JaMichael Sandridge “failed to conduct a proper patient assessment” and were terminated, Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said. Department Lieutenant Michelle Whitaker was also fired. She was driving the ambulance to the scene of the attacks, but stayed inside the vehicle and did not join her colleagues to attend to Nichols.

The 29-year-old black man died three days later in hospital from what the independent autopsy commissioned by his family members found to be severe bleeding from the severe concussions.