Tyre Nichols' Death Was 'Tragic, Disturbing': West Orange Officials

WEST ORANGE, NJ -- West Orange officials have issued a statement denouncing the "tragic death" of Tyre Nichols.

Memphis authorities released more than an hour of footage Friday of the violent beating of Nichols, in which officers held the Black motorist down and struck him repeatedly as he screamed for his mother, the Associated Press reported.

The video emerged one day after the officers were charged with murder in Nichols' death. Read More: Tyre Nichols Arrest Video Released By Memphis Authorities (Watch)

A West Orange town spokesperson released the following statement on Saturday:

"West Orange township officials denounce the tragic death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis at the hands of the Memphis Police Department. It is disturbing to all law enforcement agencies who uphold the highest of professional standards. West Orange police officers are specifically instructed to deescalate potential volatile situations and rely on their ongoing training to hopefully prevent such situations from occurring. West Orange Police Chief James Abbott is reminding residents that peaceful protests are acceptable but violent acts of destruction are never the answer for citizens to express frustration and outrage."

Read More: Here's How West Orange Police Handle ‘Use Of Force,’ Chief Says

Read More: West Orange Crime Rate Hits 41-Year Low, Police Say

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