Scottie Scheffler arrest: Louisville PD release initial report from arresting officer
The golfing world was stunned on Friday morning when World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was arrested by the Louisville Police Department and charged with multiple violations ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship. Following his release and return to Valhalla Golf Club, the Louisville PD have released the arresting officer’s report. In the report, the officer, Bryan Gillis, details his side of the encounter that resulted in minor injuries.
“Detective Gillis was directing traffic into Gate 1 of the Valhalla Golf Course due to the road being closed in both directions from an earlier fatal collision,” the report reads. “Listed subject was driving eastbound to gain access to the course. Subject pulled into the westbound lanes, where outbound traffic was flowing and to avoid backed up traffic. Detective Gillis was in the middle of the westbound lanes, in full LMPD uniform and a bi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket.
“Detective Gillis stopped subject and attempted to give instructions. Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel. Detective Gillis’ uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair.”
Scheffler, officer had ‘miscommunication,’ per lawyer
According to the golfer’s attorney Steve Romines, Scheffler and the officer had a “miscommunication,” which led to the incident. Romines gave a statement following the Master’s winner’s release from jail.
“He was going into Valhalla to work out and get ready for his tee time,” Romines explained on Friday morning. “They were directing traffic. He held his media credential out and was going in like they’d been instructed to and apparently, there had been a traffic accident or maybe even a fatality down the road, and that it changed the traffic patterns. And he was unaware of that. I think the officer that was directing traffic was maybe not part of the event traffic detail. And so that’s where the miscommunication arose.”
“They are allowed to go through,” Romines added. “That’s why they have the credentials. They’re waived through. So, unaware that there had been a wreck, they proceeded like they had been instructed to.”
Following the incident, Scheffler was booked on charges of assault of a police officer in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic. Despite his arrest, the golfer still made it to the club and onto the tee box for Round 2 on Friday.