Scottie Scheffler arrest video released by Louisville police
DALLAS - Police in Kentucky have released new video showing the arrest of the world’s top-ranked golfer.
Scottie Scheffler, a North Texas native, was arrested before the second round of last week’s PGA Championship in Louisville outside of Valhalla Golf Club.
Police said he refused to comply with officers’ orders in the aftermath of an unrelated fatal crash investigation near the tournament site.
Scheffler says he was told he could still enter the course.
During a news conference Thursday morning, Louisville's mayor and police chief said they were releasing video from a fixed pole camera along the street and a dash camera.
The mayor and police chief discussed the video evidence at a media briefing.
"We are not aware at this time of any video footage that captures the initial interaction between LMPD and Mr. Scheffler," said Mayor Craig Greenberg.
That point is critical because there are conflicting versions of what led to charges against Scheffler for assault of a peace officer.
According to a police report, when Sheffler accelerated his PGA-marked vehicle during the incident, he dragged a detective to the ground and Officer Bryan Gillis suffered a knee injury.
That initial interaction is missing from the video.
What we do see is Detective Gillis banging on the driver's side window before removing Scheffler from the SUV.
Scheffler faces four charges, including a felony count of assaulting an officer.
In the pole camera video, Scheffler's truck can be seen in the top left corner of the screen. The vehicle pulls forward briefly and is quickly stopped by officers.
Moments later, Scheffler is pulled out of the vehicle and arrested.
About 22 minutes into the dash camera video, Schefller's SUV can be seen turning the corner behind a bus. Three minutes later, officers walk him towards a police cruiser in handcuffs.
Detective Gillis is then seen talking to other officers and gesturing toward his lower body.
He was later transported to the hospital.
There is no audio, but according to the police report he suffered pain, swelling and abrasions to his wrist and knee and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
There is no body camera video of the arrest.
The detective who arrested Scheffler is being disciplined for violating department policy by not activating his body camera, the officials said.
"We understand the seriousness of the failure to capture this interaction. That is why our officer has received corrective action," said Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel with Louisville Metro Police.
Neither the mayor nor the police chief took questions from reporters during the news conference. They said they are waiting for the conclusion of the legal process.
Sheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, believes the pole camera video backs up Sheffler’s claim that his arrest was a "big misunderstanding."
"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. We will either try it or it'll be dismissed. It's. It's very simple. All the evidence that continues to come out just continues to support what Scottie said all along. This was a chaotic situation and a miscommunication, and he didn't do anything wrong," said Romines.
Scheffler played through the PGA Championship and just hours after the latest police update in Louisville, he teed off in Fort Worth at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
He finished the round 2-over par, seven strokes behind the lead.
Scheffler's arraignment is set for June 3.
