Tyre Nichols' stepfather calls for charges against paramedics who failed to ... trends now
The stepfather of Tyre Nichols has called for criminal charges against the paramedics who appeared to stand by after he was savagely beaten by police, while two deputies who responded after the altercation also face investigation.
Released on Friday, video of the January 7 incident in Memphis shows at least 10 cops and two paramedics milling about casually for nearly 20 minutes as Nichols lies on the ground critically injured. He died in hospital three days later.
'Everyone -- the fire department, paramedics that came out that stood around and didn't do anything -- they're just as guilty,' Nichols' stepfather Rodney Wells told "ABC News following the release of the video.
'Everyone that was active in the whole scene, the whole video, should be charged,' he added. Five Memphis cops have already been charged with second-degree murder.
Meanwhile, the sheriff of Shelby County, which includes Memphis, said that after viewing the video, he is suspending two deputies who responded to the scene following the beating, which began with a traffic stop.
Tyre Nichols' stepfather Rodney Wells (above) has called for criminal charges against the paramedics who appeared to fail to render aid after he was savagely beaten by police
Two paramedics are seen standing over Nichols as he flops on the pavement, unable to speak or sit up, following the January 7 beating by police that began with a traffic stop
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Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. said in a statement: 'Having watched the videotape for the first time tonight, I have concerns about two deputies who arrived on the scene following the physical confrontation between police and Tyre Nichols.'
Bonner said he had launched an internal investigation into the two deputies, adding that they had been relieved of duty pending the outcome of the probe.
The video raises disturbing questions about the apparent lack of action from first responders to treat Nichols after he was kicked and punched in the head, struck three times with a metal baton, and twice sprayed with pepper spray in the face.
Paramedics arrived on the scene about five minutes after the assault on Nichols concluded, at which point he was handcuffed and slumped against the side of a car.
The video shows a paramedic leaning over Nichols asking: 'What'd you have? We're trying to get you straight, what'd you have?'
Nichols is heard making a gurgling noise, but appears unable to speak, although he had been heard speaking clearly and relatively calmly before the assault.
Officers at the scene were heard remarking that Nichols was 'on something' and 'high as a kite' as they wisecracked after the assault.
Cops may have advised the paramedics that Nichols was on drugs, though no evidence that he was has emerged in the weeks following the assault.
Paramedics arrive on the scene about five minutes after the beating, but do not seem to render immediate aid to Nichols, after cops claimed he was high on drugs
