Scottie Scheffler after charges dismissed in Louisville: 'I hold no ill will toward Officer Gillis'

Following Wednesday’s news that the Jefferson County attorney’s office is dropping the five charges filed against PGA golfer Scottie Scheffler, the former Longhorns star took to social media with a statement. The Masters Tournament champion expressed his gratitude for the matter being resolved and shared that he has no ill will toward the arresting officers. Scheffler also reminded his fans to keep the family of John Mills, a worker for a vendor at Valhalla Golf Club, in their prayers after his passing on May 17 in the hours before his arrest.

“Earlier today, I was informed by my attorney, Steve Romines, that all charges were formally dismissed in regard to the incident outside of Valhalla Golf Club on May 17,” Scheffler wrote. “As I stated previously, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding. I hold no ill will toward Officer Gillis. I wish to put this incident behind me and move on, and I hope he will do the same. Police officers have a difficult job and I hold them in high regard. This was a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation.

“I appreciate the support during the past two weeks and want to again encourage everyone to remember the real tragedy of May 17. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with John Mills and his family, and I hope to personally offer my condolences now that the case is over. May John rest in peace. Thank you, Scottie.”

Charges dropped due to lack of probable cause

At a press conference on Wednesday, Jefferson County attorney Mike O’Connell announced the district is dropping charges against Scheffler. The attorney noted that the charges could not move forward based on the “totality of the evidence” and also noted that the golfer’s actions on that morning did not constitute criminality.

“My team and I began reviewing evidence as it came to us,” O’Connell said. “We continued to receive and review evidence that weekend and into the following week. We concluded interviews… and continued to work through the long Memorial Day weekend. My office conducted our work in a thorough and expeditious manner.”

“Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact,” he added, “however, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding the exchange misunderstanding do not satisfy the evidence of any criminal offenses. For these reasons, Judge, I now tender to the court a motion of order to dismiss the charges against Mr. Scheffler with prejudice.”

If the charges had not been dropped, Scheffler’s lawyer, Steve Romines, made it clear to the media that they would not be settling. That means the Jefferson County Court would have likely been dealing with a jury trial in the case.