Louisville Police releases footage of Scottie Scheffler PGA Championship arrest

Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel and Mayer Craig Greenberg released video footage of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest on Thursday during a press conference. The footage comes from a road pole outside of Valhalla Golf Club and from a police cruiser dash cam, not from a police body camera. Scheffler was arrested on Friday morning, hours before he was scheduled to tee off for the second round of the PGA Championship.

ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington was in the car behind the World No. 1 golfer and managed to provide some on-site video of the arrest as it happened. The pole footage and dash cam footage, however, can help shed light on how the encounter with Officer Bryan Gillis escalated to the former Longhorn’s arrest.

Scheffler is facing charges of assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic. His arraignment, previously scheduled for the Tuesday after the arrest, has been pushed to June 3.

Scheffler’s local lawyer, Steve Romines, told reporters that they have no intention of settling the case. They’d like to see it through as the golfer “did nothing wrong,” so the possibility of a trial is not out of the question.

“Our position remains the same,” Romines said Thursday. “It will either be dismissed or will go to trial. We’re not interested in settling.”

Here is video of Det. Gillis seen running after Scheffler’s SUV and appearing to swing at the driver’s window. This is after the alleged dragging, police claim. pic.twitter.com/oHeUBaL9ZD

— Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) May 23, 2024

Investigation into policy violations in Scheffler’s arrest

Earlier this week, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced plans to investigate whether officers violated police policy during Scottie Scheffler’s arrest outside of Valhalla Golf Club.

“I think that’s critically important that we do that, not just in high profile events like what took place on Friday, but on a regular basis,” Greenberg said on Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “And if policies are not being followed, there will be transparency about that. There will be action taken.”

A major question that popped up following Scheffler’s arrest was whether the arresting officer, Gillis, had his body camera on during the incident. Based on the initial review, he did not have the camera activated.

“From my understanding, based on the facts I am aware of right now, I understand why body cam may not have been turned on at the initial contact between Officer (Bryan) Gillis and Mr. Scheffler,” Greenberg said. “I still have questions about why it was not on during Mr. Scheffler’s arrest.”

According to the department’s policy, officers must activate their cameras “prior to engaging in all law enforcement activities and encounters.” After the inquiry, the LMPD determined that Gillis violated the policy and as such, has received “corrective action.”