- Two EMTs and a driver that responded to Tyre Nichols' injuries on Jan. 7 were fired, the MFD announced Monday.
- EMTs Robert Long and JaMicheal Sandridge, and Lieutenant Michelle Whitaker violated protocols.
Three Memphis Fire Department personnel who responded to the incident that led to the death of Tyre Nichols on January 7 have been fired, the department announced Monday.
EMTs Robert Long and JaMicheal Sandridge, and Lieutenant Michelle Whitaker "failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment" on Nichols and violated "numerous MFD" policies and protocols, according to a press release from the MFD.
Nichols, who was beaten and pepper sprayed by multiple police officers, died as a result of his injuries three days later.
—Memphis Fire Department (@MEM_Fire) January 30, 2023
An independent autopsy released on January 24 revealed that Nichols died from "extensive bleeding" after being beaten by several Memphis Police Department officers.
So far, five MPD officers —Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr., and Justin Smith — have been fired and charged with second-degree murder.
The MPD placed a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, on paid administrative leave, authorities announced on Monday. Hemphill was involved in the initial traffic stop and tased Nichols. The MPD is also investigating a seventh unnamed officer who was also relieved of their duty.
Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, lawyers representing Nichols, expressed disappointment that Hempill had not yet been terminated or charged for his involvement in Nichols' death.
"It certainly begs the question why the white officer involved in this brutal attack was shielded and protected from the public eye, and to date, from sufficient discipline and accountability," Crump and Romanucci said.
January 30, 2023: This article has been updated to include that a seventh officer has been relieved of duty.