President Joe Biden is urging protests in Tennessee to remain peaceful as authorities plan to release video of an arrest that led to the death of a motorcyclist.
Five Memphis police officers have been fired and are facing manslaughter charges after 29-year-old Tyr Nichols died on Jan. 7, three days after a traffic stop.
Bodycam footage of the collision is expected to be released on Friday evening local time.
Lawyers for Nichols’ family said he would be severely beaten.
David Rausch, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, called the officers’ actions “absolutely appalling” after reviewing the footage Thursday, saying he was sickened by what he saw.
Memphis is reported to be on the outskirts and police have increased patrols there in preparation for possible protests.
A lawyer for the family said Mr. Nichols, a black man, was stopped by five police officers, also black, on his way home after taking photos of the sunset at a local park.
Authorities say he was suspected of reckless driving.
The first confrontation occurred when Mr. Nichols tried to flee on foot as officers approached his car, local authorities said.
He said the second confrontation occurred when officers tried to arrest him.
Mr Nichols later complained of shortness of breath and was taken to hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
A lawyer for Mr Nichols’ family said bodycam footage showed Mr Nichols being pepper-sprayed, teased, restrained and kicked.
He likened the incident to the infamous footage of Los Angeles police officers beating black motorcyclist Rodney King more than 30 years ago.
All five officers face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official coercion.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith were jailed Thursday. They had all worked with the Memphis Police Department over the past six years, and were fired last week.
