![Scottie Scheffler]()
Scottie Scheffler is a free man.
The world No. 1 golfer
was arrested nearly two weeks ago by Detective Bryan Gillis of the Louisville Metro Police Department in a bizarre traffic incident as he tried to make it to the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
According to the police report:
“Detective Gillis was directing traffic into Gate 1 of the Valhalla Golf Course due to the road being closed in both directions from an earlier fatal collision. Listed subject was driving eastbound to gain access to the course. Subject pulled into the westbound lanes, where outbound traffic was flowing and to avoid backed up traffic. Detective Gillis was in the middle of the westbound lanes, in full LMPD uniform and a hi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket.
Detective Gillis stopped subject and attempted to give instructions. Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel.
Detective Gillis’ uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair.”
I mean, even the worst case scenario (which is what the officer included in his report) makes it sound like a chaotic scene and a misunderstanding.
It also came out that Gillis failed to turn on his bodycam to capture the incident, a violation of the department’s policy (and awfully convenient for a situation where there are so many people contradicting the officer’s story…), but last week the Louisville Police
held a press conference and released video from a nearby pole camera that captured the incident.
And based on the video…well let’s just say that police report may have been a little exaggerated. A lot exaggerated. Ok, it may have been a flat out lie.
https://twitter.com/JoePompliano/status/1793680910543405259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1793680910543405259%7Ctwgr%5E982282e0aeb29a49bb13745f6d5783dec2d6012f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiskeyriff.com%2F2024%2F05%2F23%2Flouisville-police-brutally-mocked-on-twitter-after-releasing-video-that-appears-to-contradict-officers-statement-on-scottie-scheffler-arrest%2F
In the video, you see Scheffler turn in towards the entrance gate at Valhalla, and Gillis running up beside him before Scheffler stops, Gillis slams the vehicle, and immediately pulls the golfer out of the car to arrest him.
Now, is it possible that the whole “being dragged by the car” thing happened off camera and behind the buses that are in the front of the video? Sure. But based on the only available video evidence, it wasn't looking great for Gillis and his ruined pants.
And apparently the prosecutors finally agreed.
During an appearance today, for which Scheffler wasn't present, Jefferson County Prosecutor Mike O'Connell announced that his office was dismissing all four charges against Scheffler after reviewing the available evidence:
"Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler.
Mr. Scheffler's characterization that this was, quote, a big misunderstanding, close quote, is corroborated by the evidence."
Scheffler had originally been charged with felony second-degree assault of a police officer, as well as three misdemeanors: Third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals.
It's good to see that cooler heads eventually prevailed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxvBXfu-Ct4
