MEMPHIS — Video footage released on Friday night shows Memphis Police officers punching, kicking and using a baton to beat Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man whose death has rocked the city and led to murder charges against five Black officers.

The Jan. 7 encounter begins with a traffic stop at an intersection, during which the police approach Mr. Nichols’s car, yelling and threatening him with their guns raised. An officer yanks open the driver’s side door and pulls Mr. Nichols out of the car as he protests that he “did not do anything.”

He drops to the ground and lies on his side, imploring the officers to stop and saying, “I’m just trying to get home,” as they hold down different parts of his body. Though he appears to show no resistance, the police threaten to hurt him further and continue to order him to get on the ground, apparently wanting him to roll onto his stomach. One officer tells Mr. Nichols that he will “knock his ass out” and “break” his hands.

About two minutes into the encounter, an officer directs pepper spray into his face. At that point, Mr. Nichols gets up from the ground and runs from the officers, one of whom fires a Taser at him.

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