Scottie Scheffler arrest video outside PGA Championship expected to be released today

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Video of the encounter between pro golfer Scottie Scheffler and Louisville police outside Valhalla Golf Club should be released Wednesday, Mayor Craig Greenberg told reporters Tuesday.

The footage from a pole camera across the street from the club entrance on Shelbyville Road apparently is the only video of the incident that led to Scheffler's arrest Friday morning on the second day of the PGA Championship. Police said over the weekend there is no officer body-worn camera footage of the initial interaction.

Greenberg said he has viewed the recording but declined to describe it.

"I will let the video speak for itself," he said during a news conference in the Paristown Pointe neighborhood. "It shows the arrest of Mr. Scheffler, and I will let others come to their own conclusions."

Greenberg said he's not had any conversations about the case with Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell, whose office is prosecuting.

"I don't plan to," he said. "We need to let the legal process play out the way it has. And, again, I'm hopeful that come June 3 all parties can move forward."

However, the mayor did not answer a question about whether members of his administration have had conversations with O'Connell or his office or if he has discussed the case with anyone in the county attorney's office.

Greenberg deferred other questions to police, including his understanding of the Louisville Metro Police Department's body camera policies for officers working traffic detail and the type of investigation of the officer who arrested Scheffler, Detective Bryan Gillis.

But the mayor did say that while he understands why Gillis' body camera might not have been turned on "at the initial contact between Officer Gillis and Mr. Scheffler, I still have questions about why it was not on during Mr. Scheffler's arrest."

He said he expects Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel "to have comments this week."

LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell declined to say what kind of investigation has begun or will occur, nor did he answer a question seeking to clarify the body camera policy. 

"We will advise and notify the media when it is appropriate, and plans are finalized," Mitchell said in an emailed response to questions. 

Hours later, LMPD released a statement from Gwinn-Villaroel that said an internal investigation is ongoing. 

"Any policy violations that are revealed through the course of the investigation will be appropriately addressed according to LMPD’s disciplinary protocol. The department intends to provide an additional update on the investigation on Thursday, May 23, 2024."

LMPD's body-worn camera (BWC) policy requires officers to "immediately activate their BWC in recording mode prior to engaging in all law enforcement activities or encounters." 

The policy also states: "If a member is involved in a sudden and unanticipated incident where exigent safety concerns prevent the immediate activation of his/her BWC, he/she will activate the BWC at the first opportunity, when it is safe to do so, in order to capture the immediate aftermath of the situation."

Greenberg said Saturday that it's unclear if Gillis didn't have a body camera or didn't have it activated.

Scheffler, the world's No. 1 ranked golfer and the reigning Masters champion, was arrested and charged last Friday with felony assault of a police officer outside the eastern Jefferson County golf course. He was booked into jail downtown around 7:30 a.m. after allegedly refusing to stop near the scene of a fatal collision.

John Mills of Crestwood was crossing Shelbyville Road around 5 a.m. to work at Valhalla as a security guard when a shuttle bus struck and killed him, authorities have said. He was 69.

Steve Romines, Scheffler's attorney, has said the golfer was told by one officer to go into the club grounds, but that Gillis wasn't aware of that order. Police accuse Scheffler of failing to follow Gillis' instructions, accelerating forward and dragging the detective to the ground.

Gillis was taken to the hospital with pain, swelling and abrasions to his left knee and wrist. His uniform pants, which were estimated to have cost $80, "were damaged beyond repair," according to the arrest report.

Several witnesses said Gillis tried to grab onto Scheffler's vehicle as he slowly moved forward. "Scottie didn't know what was going on," Romines said.

The arrest report says Gillis was "in full LMPD uniform and a hi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket" when he stopped Scheffler and tried to give instructions.

Scheffler initially was to be arraigned on the charges Tuesday. On Monday, during an impromptu hearing in Jefferson Circuit Court, County Attorney O'Connell objected to a two-week delay in the arraignment, which now is set for June 3.

O'Connell told Judge Anne Delahanty that a delay would amount to special treatment for Scheffler. A clearly exasperated Romines argued that court proceedings are routinely delayed.

Delahanty ruled that a delay was acceptable given the initial arraignment date was scheduled before Romines could check his schedule. 

The judge also ruled that Scheffler would have to be present for the arraignment, which is generally required in a felony case. 

Speaking Tuesday morning, Greenberg called Romines' request a "routine motion," but he declined to say whether he agreed or disagreed with O'Connell's actions.

This story may be updated.

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