[PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird]
In a press conference on Thursday morning (Kentucky time), Louisville’s mayor and chief of police stated the officer who made the arrest of Scottie Scheffler during the PGA Championship has been disciplined for failing to turn on his body camera, but that, at this time, the charges against Scheffler have not been dropped.
Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg acknowledged that detective Bryan Gillis didn’t have his body camera activated during last Friday’s incident. According to Louisville Metro Police policy, officers must turn on their body cameras before “engaging in all law enforcement activities and encounters”. Though there is video footage from a police cruiser’s dashboard as well as from a pole across the street from Valhalla, Greenberg asserted that video of the actual incident does not exist. The LMPD released both of those videos shortly after the conclusion of the press conference. Greenberg stated that, per request of the Louisville attorney’s office, any other video will not be released until the conclusion of the legal progress.
“Regarding the results of our internal investigation, Detective Gillis had an encounter with Mr Scottie Scheffler. Mr Gillis should have turned on his body camera, but he did not,” Greenberg said. “It was a failure of policy.”
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According to Louisville Metro police chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, Gillis violated two internal policies for failing to have his body camera activated. The discipline for these missteps involves marks on Gillis’ record with the department.
However, both Greenberg and Gwinn-Villaroel said they “respect the judicial process” and will let the process play out. Meaning, the charges against Scheffler, at this time, remain.
Scheffler was arrested on Friday morning outside Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief and reckless driving. Scheffler is alleged to have driven past a police officer against the officer’s instructions while trying to enter the club. Scheffler called the incident a misunderstanding, although a police report states that Gillis was dragged by Scheffler’s car, which led to injury and damage of Gillis’ pants. Scheffler’s lawyer Steve Romines has disputed the nature of the incident.
“[Scheffler] was proceeding as directed by another traffic officer and driving a marked player’s vehicle with credentials visible,” Romines said. “In the confusion, Scottie is alleged to have disregarded a different officer’s traffic signals resulting in these charges. Multiple eyewitnesses have confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed. He stopped immediately upon being directed to and never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle. We will litigate this matter as needed and he will be completely exonerated.”
Scheffler’s arraignment was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was pushed back to June 3. Romines has told multiple news outlets that Scheffler will enter a not guilty plea.
Scheffler returned to Valhalla after his arrest and turned in a second-round 66, although followed it with a 73 while admitting the chaotic situation had worn him down. Scheffler bounced back with a final-round 65, ultimately finishing in a tie for eighth. He is currently playing in this week’s PGA Tour event at Colonial.
