RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia leaders are responding to the release of video Friday night showing Memphis motorist Tyre Nichols being beaten by five police officerswho held him down and repeatedly struck him with fists, batons and boots.
My statement on the deadly assault of Tyre Nichols: pic.twitter.com/qpXtRwvclO
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) January 28, 2023
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said "the hearts of Virginians and our entire nation ache" in the wake of the "horrible events in Memphis."
"The disturbing and shocking video released this evening displays incomprehensible violence towards another human being and we must condemn these heinous actions," the governor's statement reads.
Youngkin urged those protesting to do so peacefully.
"We will ensure Virginians' first amendment rights as we prioritize and protect the safety of the Commonwealth and all Virginians," the statement continued. "We can choose to come together and not further the divide. We must strive each day to better our communities and treat one another with love and respect."
Wickedness continues to grip us! Lord, we pray for the family of Tyre Nichols. We pray for the peace of America. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
— Lt. Governor of Virginia - Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) January 28, 2023
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears said she was praying for Nichols' family.
The footage of #TyreNichols’ murder is disturbing and horrific. This senseless act must be condemned. I call on all of us to lift his mother up in prayer because NO parent should ever have a child so brutally taken from them in this way. The Nichols family deserves justice.
— Mayor Levar M. Stoney (@LevarStoney) January 28, 2023
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney called the footage "disturbing and horrific" and said the "senseless act must be condemned."
"I call on all of us to lift his mother up in prayer because NO parent should ever have a child so brutally taken from them in this way," Stoney wrote. "The Nichols family deserves justice."
RELATED: Tyre Nichols remembered as beautiful soul with creative eye
Rick Edwards, Richmond's interim police chief, released a lengthy statement about the "deplorable actions of five Memphis police officers" and said their swift firings demonstrate a "new culture of accountability in police departments" in the wake of George Floyd's death in 2020 and the unrest that followed.
As communities around our great nation still grapple with the aftermath of the 2020 civil unrest, police departments are also dealing with the same fallout. Life, as we know it will never be the same, and many police departments, are taking this moment to re-evaluate policies, culture, and behavior.
Many of us have watched the news and seen the deplorable actions of five Memphis police officers who did not have an appreciation of someone else's life and caused a senseless death of a Memphis man, father, and son.
The swift action by the Memphis Police Chief and Mayor underscores the importance for video and technology but more importantly, it speaks to the new culture of accountability in police departments. Leaders stood firmly together saying to their community, their officers, and this nation that bad acts will not be tolerated.
As interim chief, one of the first things I did was share our department’s core values. In order for change to occur, everyone must have the same playbook. Here in the city of Richmond, our playbook begins with our core values. These values guide us daily from how we treat our residents and visitors to how we take care of ourselves and each other. We believe in honoring life and will stand on our sworn mission to protect and serve.
Our hearts go out to the family and community of Memphis as they deal with this most egregious act. We pray for their healing during this time.
— Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards
Additionally, Richmond City Council members said their hearts ache for Nichols' family.
"It is our hope that those who wish to engage civically will do so peacefully," council members said.
Officials said Richmonders who "wish to engage in safe spaces with professionals," can use the following services:
- Lifeline – Call or Text 988 or Chat 988lifeline.org
- Mental Health America – Text MHA to 741741
- Warmline of Virginia – 866.400.6428 (tel)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 877.622.4327 (tel)
Additionally, council members said that people who need a safe space to gather with others, can use the following facilities on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.:
- Hotchkiss MLK
- Blackwell
- Bellemeade
- Henderson
"As we prepare for the days ahead, we ask that you keep Mr. Tyre Nichols’ family and the City of Memphis in your prayers,” the statement concluded.
We express our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Tyre Nichols.
After witnessing this video, our hearts ache for this family as a traffic stop has resulted in the death of a young, black man’s life – a father and a son.
As other leaders of our great City and across the nation have shared, we recognize that processing this will be handled in different ways - some will wish to use their first amendment rights and others will look to identifying safe spaces in which to communicate with professionals.
It is our hope that those who wish to engage civically will do so peacefully. For those who wish to engage in safe spaces with professionals, Richmond offers the following services:
- Lifeline – Call or Text 988 or Chat 988lifeline.org
- Mental Health America – Text MHA to 741741
- Warmline of Virginia – 866.400.6428 (tel)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 877.622.4327 (tel)
If you or your family need a safe space to gather with others, the following city facilities will be open:
Saturday, January 27, 2023 – Sites will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Hotchkiss MLK
- Blackwell
- Bellemeade
- Henderson
As we prepare for the days ahead, we ask that you keep Mr. Tyre Nichols’ family and the City of Memphis in your prayers.
— Richmond City Council
For up-to-date information, please visit https://t.co/M44z6ITirD. #WeAreRVA #BuildingCommunity pic.twitter.com/X0VLNr3YXt
— City of Richmond, VA (@CityRichmondVA) January 28, 2023
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
