Tyre Nichols vigil to be held at Sacramento skatepark 1 year after Memphis traffic stop
SACRAMENTO — A candlelight ceremony will be held on Sunday at Tyre Nichols Skatepark in Natomas exactly one year after the Sacramento native's fatal traffic stop in Memphis.
Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died in the hospital three days after being brutally beaten by Memphis police officers on January 7, 2023.
Sunday's vigil will start at 5 p.m. at the north Natomas skatepark renamed after him last June. Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk's foundation partnered with the City of Sacramento to make improvements to the skatepark after Nichols' death.
Community leaders, including Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, are expected to join Nichols' family and friends at the vigil. The family released a statement that can be read in full below.
"As we approach the one year angelversary of Tyre, who was tragically taken from us due to police brutality, we realize that his death has not only changed our family but communities across America forever. This candlelight vigil is not only to remind us that Tyre is no longer with us, but to acknowledge all families that lost loved ones to police brutality, because they all deserved better. The past year has been hard and unbearable at times, but the support from the community and friends has carried us through. We ask that you continue to keep our family in prayer as we encounter the year ahead."
An August trial date is set for the four former police officers charged in his death. A fifth former officer, Desmond Mills, Jr., pleaded guilty in a deal that will see him testify against the other officers.
Mills is scheduled to be sentenced in May.