A portrait of Tyre Nichols is displayed at a memorial service for him on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn. Nichols was killed throughout a site visitors cease with Memphis Police on Jan. 7.

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A portrait of Tyre Nichols is displayed at a memorial service for him on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn. Nichols was killed throughout a site visitors cease with Memphis Police on Jan. 7.

Adrian Sainz/AP

Two Memphis, Tenn., hearth division staff have been “relieved of duty” whereas an inner investigation is carried out in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died days after a site visitors cease on Jan. 7.

Memphis Fire Department spokesperson Qwanesha Ward instructed NPR the staff — who weren’t recognized — have been “involved in the initial patient care” of Nichols. She didn’t go into additional particulars.

“This is an ongoing investigation, and we cannot comment further at this time,” Ward mentioned.

Nichols died on Jan. 10, three days after he was stopped by Memphis police for reckless driving. The 29-year-old fled the scene of the site visitors cease however ultimately was taken into custody after what Memphis police say have been two “confrontations” with its officers.

Nichols had complained of shortness of breath following his arrest and was taken to the hospital in vital situation, authorities mentioned. His household mentioned the police beat him so badly that he grew to become unrecognizable.

Attorney Ben Crump, one of many household’s attorneys, instructed reporters throughout a news conference Monday that Nichols was tased, pepper sprayed and restrained through the incident — a part of which occurred practically 80 yards from the place he lived along with his mom and stepfather.

Crump mentioned that, in physique digital camera footage of the incident, Nichols might be heard calling out for his mom.

Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump speaks at a information convention with the household of Tyre Nichols, who died after being crushed by Memphis cops, as RowVaughn Wells, mom of Tyre, proper, and Tyre’s stepfather Rodney Wells, together with legal professional Tony Romanucci, left, additionally stand with Crump, in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

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Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump speaks at a information convention with the household of Tyre Nichols, who died after being crushed by Memphis cops, as RowVaughn Wells, mom of Tyre, proper, and Tyre’s stepfather Rodney Wells, together with legal professional Tony Romanucci, left, additionally stand with Crump, in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

Gerald Herbert/AP

“Yet again, we’re seeing evidence of what happens to Black and brown people from simple traffic stops,” he mentioned. “You should not be killed because of a simple traffic stop.”

Nichols’ mom, RowVaughn Wells, instructed reporters throughout Monday’s information convention that her son did not do medication or carry weapons. She questioned why police felt the necessity to violently arrest him.

“He had my name tattooed on his arm, and that made me proud, because most kids don’t put their mom’s name, but he did,” she mentioned.

Five Memphis cops have already been fired

Family and supporters of Tyre Nichols, who died after being crushed by Memphis cops, bow in prayer firstly of a information convention with civil rights Attorney Ben Crump in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

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Family and supporters of Tyre Nichols, who died after being crushed by Memphis cops, bow in prayer firstly of a information convention with civil rights Attorney Ben Crump in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

Gerald Herbert/AP

The Memphis Police Department introduced final week it had concluded its administrative investigation into Nichols’ loss of life, saying it had fired five officers: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr. and Justin Smith.

Like Nichols, the entire dismissed officers are Black.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn ‘CJ’ Davis mentioned the officers had violated a number of police division insurance policies — together with extreme use of pressure, obligation to intervene and obligation to render help.

“The Memphis Police Department is committed to protecting and defending the rights of every citizen in our city,” Davis mentioned in her assertion. “The egregious nature of this incident is not a reflection of the good work that our officers perform, with integrity, every day.”

Video footage nonetheless has not been launched to the general public

Additionally, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said in its assertion it understood the “reasonable request from the public” to view the video of Nichols’ loss of life. The workplace mentioned it was working to find out how rapidly it might launch the footage.

“Our office is committed to transparency and understands the reasonable request from the public to view the video footage. However, we must ensure we abide by applicable laws and ethical rules so that we do not jeopardize an ongoing investigation or prosecution,” the district legal professional’s workplace mentioned.

The Justice Department and the FBI have launched a civil rights investigation into Nichols’ loss of life alongside the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launching its personal separate investigation.