Scottie Scheffler arrest: Louisville police say officer did not have bodycam activated
(NewsNation) – Authorities in Kentucky released new details Thursday about the arrest of Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, as the investigation continues into whether officers followed the Louisville Metro Police Department's policies in the arrest.
Scheffler, 27, was arrested Friday after he attempted to drive past a police officer on his way into the Valhalla Golf Club, where he was scheduled to play in the 2024 PGA Championship, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington first reported.
Police were in the area amid an investigation into the death of a pedestrian who was killed after being struck by a bus.
The officer reportedly "attempted to attach himself" to Scheffler’s car, prompting the golfer to stop his vehicle just short of the golf club’s entrance, Darlington said. The reporter claimed that police yelled at Scheffler to get out of the car, and then shoved Scheffler against the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs. Darlington witnessed the arrest live.
Scheffler has been charged with four offenses, including second-degree assault of a police officer.
During Thursday's news conference, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said there appeared to be no footage that captured the incident that prompted Scheffler's arrest.
"We are not aware at this time of any video footage which captures the initial interaction between LMPD and Mr. Scheffler," the mayor said.
LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel also confirmed that the officer involved in the incident, identified as Detective Bryan Gillis, did not have his body-worn camera on at the time of the incident.
"Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera, but did not," Chief Gwinn Villaroel said at the press conference.
Still, the LMPD plans to release footage Thursday from the time of the arrest, as captured by two cameras: a fixed pole camera and the dash cam of a police car.
According to the police report, Det. Gillis had attempted to stop Scheffler but was allegedly “dragged” by the golfer’s vehicle and hospitalized. Conflicting reports claim the officer "attached" himself to Scheffler’s car.
Gillis’ “uniform pants, valued at approximately $80, were damaged beyond repair," the police report added.
Scheffler is scheduled to tee off in another tournament at 1:45 p.m. ET Thursday. His arraignment is set for June 3.