Louisville police release Scottie Scheffler arrest video

(NewsNation) – Authorities in Kentucky released new footage from the day Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, was arrested, and announced that the arresting officer violated the Louisville Metro Police Department’s policies during the incident.

LMPD posted footage from the time of the arrest last Friday, taken from a fixed pole camera and the dash cam of a police car, on YouTube Thursday.

“We are not aware at this time of any video footage which captures the initial interaction between LMPD and Mr. Scheffler,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said at a news conference.

The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, did not activate his body camera at the time of Scheffler’s arrest, which LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said was against the department’s policy.

“Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera but did not. His failure to do so is a violation of the LMPD policy on uniforms and equipment,” she said.

Gwinn-Villaroel added that Gillis did not have his body camera “operationally ready” as required, so the officer was counseled by his supervisor.

“We understand the seriousness of the failure to capture this interaction, which is why our officer has received corrective action for this policy violation,” Gwinn-Villaroel said.

Greenberg added that any additional video or evidence related to the case will not be released until the conclusion of the legal process, per a request from the local prosecutor handling the case.

The 27-year-old golfer’s arraignment is set for June 3.

What charges does Scheffler face?

Scheffler faces four charges, including second-degree felony assault of a police officer, which carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison.

He was arrested after attempting to drive past a police officer on his way to Valhalla Golf Club, according to ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed what happened and caught part of it on video. The officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, prompting the golfer to stop his vehicle just short of the golf club’s entrance. The officer yelled at Scheffler to remove himself from the vehicle. When he did, the officer reportedly shoved Scheffler against his car and placed him in handcuffs.

According to the police report, Gillis attempted to stop Scheffler but was allegedly “dragged” by the golfer’s vehicle and hospitalized. Gillis received medical treatment for pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. The police report also said that Gillis’ uniform pants, valued at approximately $80, were “damaged beyond repair.” Conflicting reports claim the officer attached himself to Scheffler’s car in an effort to stop him from driving forward.

Video evidence released Thursday does not show the moment the officer is allegedly dragged by Scheffler’s vehicle. Scheffler’s attorney Steve Romines said at a news conference after the new videos were made public that his client is not at fault.

“Our position is the same as it was last Friday. Scottie Scheffler didn’t do anything wrong. We’re not interested in settling the case,” Romines said. “We’ll either try it or it will be dismissed.”

Before he was arrested, Scheffler was initially scheduled to tee off at 8:48 a.m. ET last Friday for the second round of the PGA Championship. The second round had been delayed for about an hour, after a shuttle bus hit and killed a pedestrian outside the golf club, the Louisville Metro Police Department confirmed to ESPN. The accident had caused traffic disruptions around the club’s entrance, which prompted an emergency response.

Darlington said Scheffler was trying to get around the crash scene and drove on a median because he misunderstood and thought he was being directed that way. The police officer allegedly instructed him to stop, but Scheffler continued about 10 to 20 yards toward the club’s entrance.

While Scheffler missed his initial tee time, the PGA updated it to 10:08 a.m. ET. Scheffler opened with a 4-under 67 and was five shots out of the lead.

After his round, Scheffler admitted to reporters that he was “just really confused” after being detained, and that he apologized numerous times to police officers, describing the situation as “chaotic” and a “big misunderstanding.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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