• Rodney King, a black driver, was attacked by white police officers in Los Angeles.
• Memphis police chief, says Tyre Nichols’ death was “worse than Rodney King”.
• Incident was “heinous, reckless and inhumane”, she says.

More now from Cerelyn Davis, Memphis city’s police chief, who says she has “never witnessed anything like this in my career”.

Speaking to Media, she said there was no evidence of a legitimate reason to stop Tyre Nichols and said the bodycam footage showed the incident was “worse than Rodney King”.

Rodney King, a black driver, was attacked by white police officers in Los Angeles in March 1991, and the incident was videotaped.

Violent riots were started as a result of the officers’ trial and subsequent acquittal.

In a statement posted on YouTube on Thursday, Davis said of Tyre’s death: “This is not just a professional failing, this is a failing of basic humanity towards another individual.

“This incident was heinous, reckless and inhumane. I expect our citizens to exercise their First Amendment right to protest, to demand action and results. But we need to ensure our community is safe in this process.

“None of this is a calling card for inciting violence or destruction on our community or against our citizens.”

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