Louisville police say there is no bodycam footage from the first Scottie Scheffler incident outside Valhalla | Louisville Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville Metro Police said Saturday that there is no body camera footage of the first incident that occurred between the No. 1 golfer in the world, Scottie Scheffler, and LMPD Detective Bryan Gillis.

Scheffler was handcuffed and charged with assault on a police officer at Valhalla Golf Club Friday morning after he allegedly refused to stop at the scene of a fatal accident at the golf course entrance.

According to court records, Scheffler was charged around 7:30 a.m. with assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and failure to obey traffic trooper signals.

“The officer did not have bodycam footage turned on during the incident. We will release the footage we have,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “As far as I know, we didn’t have any. We have not discovered any video of the initial contact between Officer Gillis and Mr. Scheffler.”

LMPD confirmed there is no body-worn camera footage from the initial encounter.

“The incident is currently under internal review and is being followed through the legal process,” LMPD said in a statement Saturday. “We would like to reiterate that everyone involved is cooperating fully. LMPD is committed to a thorough investigation of all those involved.”

Scheffler, who said it was a “chaotic situation and a huge misunderstanding,” is scheduled to appear in Jefferson District Court on May 21.

In an arrest report, police allege Scheffler was “driving eastbound to gain access to the course” at Valhalla Gate 1 when he turned into a westbound lane “where outbound traffic was flowing and to avoid congestion.” “.

According to the report, Gillis was “wearing full LMPD uniform and a high-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket” when he stopped Scheffler and “attempted to give directions.”

Greenberg said there was footage from a fixed camera across the street showing when Scheffler was arrested and that would be released soon.

“The subject refused to comply and sped forward, knocking Detective Gillis to the ground,” police allege in the arrest report.

“I don’t think this golfer went rogue one day and, as one of the richest athletes in the world, decided to take out a police officer with a car,” said Andrew White, a personal injury attorney in Louisville.

The officer was taken to the hospital with pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, estimated to have cost $80, were “irreparably damaged,” according to the arrest report.

“This is wrong,” attorney Steve Romines said of Scheffler’s dragging of a police officer.

White said it will take time to review this week’s statements.

“We don’t know enough yet,” White said.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said this morning that LMPD Detective Bryan Gillis was either not wearing his body camera or did not have it activated when he met Scottie Scheffler outside Valhalla on Friday morning. “We have not yet discovered any footage from first contact… pic.twitter.com/rN2L6cGK6k

— WDRB News (@WDRBNews) May 18, 2024

Greenberg wasn’t sure whether Gillis wasn’t wearing a body camera or hadn’t activated it.

“Bodycam footage has proven law enforcement officers right for the most part, in many cases, even most cases, but when you need them and they’re not there, they always raise their eyebrows,” White said.

In accordance with LMPD’s BWC body-worn camera policy, members must activate their cameras immediately before engaging in law enforcement activities or encounters. LMPD policy states that if the camera malfunctioned or was not turned on, the officer must report it.

It also states that police will wear the cameras on any part-time duty that requires them to wear a uniform.

“Depending on how you read their policies and where that investigation was, maybe it should have still been ongoing, but I just don’t know where they were in their investigation,” White said.

The policy also requires a commander to tell officers what needs to be recorded during “special events.” It continues: “Members will be collecting citizen contacts.” WDRB News does not know whether LMPD considered their traffic data a “special event” or not.

“There are a lot of things we have to pay attention to at this early point in the game to verify all of these statements,” White said.

There are still many questions surrounding the Scheffler incident – ​​for example, is there body camera footage from other officers? WDRB News has asked these and many other questions – and will continue to do so until there are more answers.

The felony charge carries a prison sentence of between five and 10 years.

Scheffler said in a statement on social media: “This morning I followed police instructions. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably given the tragic accident that had occurred previously, and there was a huge misunderstanding about what I believed I was being asked to do. I never intended to disobey any of the instructions.

“I hope I can put that aside and focus on golf today. Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in the accident this morning. That’s really true.” everything in view.

Scheffler is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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