MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All three former Memphis Police officers charged in a state criminal trial after the death of Tyre Nichols were found “not guilty” on all charges Wednesday by an all-white jury brought in from the Chattanooga area.

Memphis leaders are now reacting. Some are calling the verdict “heartbreaking.”

Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Memphis Police Department Chief C. J. Davis released a joint statement acknowledging the verdict and promising to create a “safer, more just Memphis for everyone.”

Mayor Paul Young and MPD Chief C. J. Davis:

“This message is for our community today. My prayers are with the Nichols family and our entire city. I understand the pain we’re feeling as a life was lost at the hands of officers whose actions don’t reflect the values of our police department. Memphis is still healing, and healing demands that we work together. As a city, we’re committed to doing the work of creating a deeper trust between law enforcement and the people of Memphis, and on behalf of the city, we’re steadfast in our dedication to creating a safer, more just Memphis for everyone.

Today a verdict was reached in the trial concerning the death of Tyre Nichols, and that has had a profound impact on his family, our department, and city and the entire nation policing in Memphis must always be ever evolving and continuously improving, and I am confident that our team is ready to further the work of creating ongoing change. As I have stated before, we believe in improved policing in training and in progress; we are seeing daily. We recognize the pain and grief this incident has caused, and the men and women of the Memphis Police Department remain committed to rebuilding trust and working together toward a stronger, safer Memphis for all. In the days, weeks, and years ahead, we will continue to work and we will heal together.“

Tadarrius Bean’s attorney, John Keith Perry:

Policing is among the most challenging and demanding professions in our society. For Black
officers, the role often comes with an added layer of complexity. They are called to serve with
vigilance, fairness, and compassion, all while balancing the safety of the public, their partners, those in custody, and themselves.

Tadarrius Bean is one of the most principled and dedicated young men I have had the privilege to represent. He worked diligently to earn his place in the Memphis Police Department and built a reputation for professionalism and integrity. Reducing his career to a single moment or painting him with the same brush as others involved does a disservice to the facts and to his record.

It is disappointing that some public figures have chosen to politicize this tragedy rather than pursue understanding. Suggesting that officers like Mr. Bean are the product of lowered standards ignores the reality of his qualifications and his commitment to public service. Statements like these reflect a broader issue–a tendency to cast blame before all the facts are known, especially when the individuals involved are Black officers.

This city has faced difficult challenges, and the decisions made at the policy level have often failed the officers who serve and the communities they protect. The path forward must include
accountability, but it must also include fairness. We cannot afford a system where the value of an officer’s life or service is seen differently based on race. Justice must be even-handed. That includes ensuring that Black officers are not disproportionately vilified or discarded when complex situations arise. Mr. Bean deserves a full and fair process, not a rush to judgment.

Tennessee Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis):

“Although we all watched the horrific death of #tyrenichols unfold before our eyes, a jury found the former officers involved not guilty. All I can think about is the family of Tyre Nichols and how incredibly heartbreaking this must be for them. A truly unfathomable pain.”

Tennessee Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Memphis)

“Today’s verdict in the Tyre Nichols case left me shocked and surprised, as ‘liberty and justice for all’ proved to be empty words on a paper.

The most important thing to remember, first and foremost, is that all of the officers have already been found guilty on numerous charges in federal court and are awaiting sentencing on those charges. Today’s verdict does not change the fact all are facing considerable time in prison. For those who watched the video and were sickened by the savage beating of Mr. Nichols, we all must remember that our faith—or lack thereof—in the system has been justified. Justice is still being served federally, and today’s verdict does nothing to change that.

To Ms. RowVaughn Wells and to every family member and friend, you know we will keep fighting.“

Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis):

“I am heartbroken—and I am angry. What happened to Tyre Nichols was not just a tragedy; it was a brutal injustice. The world watched as his life was stolen in a horrific, senseless beating. And now, his mother, Mrs. RowVaughn Wells, and his loved ones are left to carry a pain no family should ever endure.

We should not have to keep witnessing this. We should not have to keep burying our sons, our brothers, our friends. We are tired of demanding justice that comes too late, if at all. Tired of asking if our lives truly matter in a system that continues to treat them as disposable. Days like these are unbearably cruel. They leave us searching for answers—about the worth of a life, the unbearable weight of losing one, and whether justice truly exists for us all.

Tyre deserved better. And we will fight for his name, for his memory, and for the justice that still feels too far away.”

Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis):

“I am shocked. I am gutted. This verdict is a devastating blow to a community still grieving the brutal killing of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died after being violently beaten by members of the Memphis SCORPION police unit.

We all saw the video. We saw Tyre cry out for his mother. We saw officers act without humanity or restraint. This case was supposed to show that police can be held accountable. Instead, this jury’s decision leaves too many of us wondering if justice is ever possible.

My heart is with Tyre’s family and everyone in our community carrying the weight of this painful outcome. More than ever, Memphis—and communities across our state—need police officers who protect and serve, not intimidate and harm.

As difficult as today’s news is, I take some comfort in knowing that all five officers involved still face sentencing in federal court. That process must reflect the seriousness of their actions and the value of Tyre’s life.

We have so much work to do to rebuild trust, reimagine public safety, and ensure that accountability in policing is not the exception, but the expectation.”

Tyre’s life was stolen, and his family was denied the justice they so deeply deserve. We are outraged, and we know we are not alone. We thank the Memphis community and people across the nation who have stood by Tyre’s family, lifted their voices, and demanded accountability.

Your solidarity has been a beacon of hope in this painful journey. We remain fiercely committed to civil justice and ask for your continued support as we press forward with the civil trial and push for meaningful, lasting reforms needed to stop the cycle of police brutality.

Let this be a rallying cry: we must confront the broken systems that empowered this injustice and demand the change our nation — and Tyre’s legacy — deserves.”

Shelby County District Attorney’s Office:

“The verdicts mark a pivotal moment in a case that has deeply impacted our city, state, and nation.

From the beginning, we believed the evidence supported the charges and pursued this case in the interest of justice and accountability. Tyre Nichols should be alive today. His death was a preventable tragedy that devastated his family and deeply affected our entire community.

We respect the jury’s decision and appreciate their service. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, our commitment to justice and to the people of Shelby County remains unwavering. I hope we can learn from this tragedy as Memphis continues to work to improve its policing practices. We remain committed to transparency, justice, and the work of building public trust. Our office will continue to pursue accountability wherever the facts and the law lead us.”

Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis) :

“I struggle to find the words that can fully express the heartbreak and outrage I feel today. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with Mrs. Wells, Mr. Wells, Tyre’s siblings, and entire family. They have already borne unimaginable pain—and today’s verdict only deepens that wound.

This outcome is both painful and profoundly upsetting. Justice was not served today. No one should be above the law–especially those sworn to uphold it. The system has once again failed a grieving family, a devastated community, and a nation crying out for justice. Still, I remain committed to standing with the Nichols family and all those seeking justice and dignity for every Black life.

May God carry Tyre’s loved ones through this dark and difficult time.

Executive Director Vickie Terry of the NAACP Memphis:

“I’m surprised the prosecution even said okay to the jury being brought in an all-white jury. Come on, let’s talk about this, an all white jury for a place like Memphis.

I think that what we need to do is make sure that we stay calm and use a calm head right now  because I don’t want anything to happen to anybody else like Tyre Nichols.”

State Representative G.A. Hardaway:

“I think on the state level that we can do more, put more in place to make sure those body cams are not tampered with, by putting stronger deterrents in terms of the actual penalties.”

Van Turner, Attorney:

“I think a jury of Nichols’ peers would’ve of perhaps would’ve come to a different verdict, and so you bring in this jury from Hamilton County, they’re disconnected.

There will be some justice on the federal side, hopefully, this is just a bit of a disappointment that we endured all these years  to receive this verdict today.”

Turner said that all officers were found guilty of some charges in the federal trial and will soon face a sentence for those charges.