The arrest of Scottie Scheffler ahead of the US PGA Championship made headlines, with the police officer involved receiving corrective action for failing to have his body-worn camera on during the incident. According to the police report, Detective Bryan Gillis stopped Scheffler’s car and attempted to give him instructions, but Scheffler allegedly refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. As a result, Scheffler is facing charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
In Kentucky, second-degree assault is considered a Class C felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Following an internal investigation, Louisville Metro Police Department chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel revealed that Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera but did not. As a result, Gillis received corrective action for violating LMPD policy on uniforms and equipment. The department respects the judicial process and will allow the courts to proceed accordingly.
After the press conference, LMPD released video footage of Scheffler’s arrest, showing him in handcuffs around the 42:31 mark in a 55-minute video. In another video taken from a static camera, Detective Gillis can be seen running towards Scheffler’s car and banging on the drivers’ side window. Scheffler’s lawyer, Steve Romines, maintains that his client did nothing wrong and is prepared to go to trial if the charge of assaulting a police officer is not dropped. Romines emphasized that they are ready to litigate the case if necessary.
The incident occurred as Scheffler tried to drive into Valhalla Golf Club in heavy traffic caused by an unrelated accident in which a male pedestrian died after being struck by a shuttle bus. The arraignment for Scheffler is set for June 3, where he will have to answer to the charges brought against him. The video footage of the arrest has shed light on the events that transpired that day, but the case will ultimately be decided by the courts.
Despite the controversy surrounding the arrest, Scottie Scheffler maintains his innocence and is prepared to defend himself in court. The release of the video footage has sparked further discussion about the actions of both Scheffler and Detective Gillis during the incident. As the case progresses, more details may emerge that shed light on what truly happened that day at Valhalla Golf Club. Ultimately, the judicial process will determine the outcome of this high-profile case.
