Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, issued the following statement on opening a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols:
“Last week, we announced that the United States had opened a federal civil rights investigation
into the circumstances leading to the tragic death of Tyre Nichols.
Earlier this week I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Nichols's mother, father, grandmother, and
aunt. I had the privilege of hearing from them about Tyre, a young man who enjoyed skateboarding,
Starbucks, and sunsets at Shelby Farms.
I would like to share with the community what I told Mr. Nichols's family. What I said was that the
Department of Justice cares deeply about potential violations of constitutional rights, here in
Memphis and throughout America. I said we have opened a criminal civil rights investigation. I told
them this federal civil rights investigation will be thorough. It will be methodical. And it will
continue until we gather all the relevant facts. As with any other federal investigation, we will
go where those facts take us.
I delivered that message to them. I want this community to hear that message as well. As I told Mr.
Nichols's family, our federal investigation may take some time. These things often do. But we will
be diligent, and we will make decisions based on the facts and the law.
My office is working hand in hand with the Civil Rights Division in Washington, as well as the FBI
and other law enforcement partners. Our team includes very experienced federal prosecutors from our
office here in Memphis. It includes very experienced FBI agents from the FBI's Memphis Field
Office. It also includes a very experienced attorney from the Civil Rights Division.
We have been in constant, very constructive communication with the Shelby County District Attorney
and state and local law enforcement agencies about this case. I am
thankful for that, and I expect that to continue.
Finally, I know there is significant public interest in the release of the video that was shown to
Mr. Nichols's family. The state and local authorities have responsibility for determining when to
release video from this incident to the public. What I will say on behalf of the federal
authorities is that we want people to express their right to be heard, but we want them to do so in
a peaceful and non-violent way.
I'll close by saying that I grew up in this city and care deeply about it. I want this city to be a
place where justice is done. The United States is committed to following the facts and the law,
guided by principles of justice every step of the way.”
