MEMPHIS — Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to attend Tyre Nichols’ funeral, the White House announced Tuesday.
Harris’ press secretary, Kirsten Allen, said that Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, invited Harris to attend Nichols’ funeral on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.
Harris spoke with both RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells by phone Tuesday and shared her condolences, according to the AP. President Biden spoke with the Wells family on Friday prior to the release of the video.
White House Director for the Office of Public Engagement Keisha Lance Bottoms and senior adviser to the president Mitch Landrieu are expected to join Harris, according to the AP.
Nichols’ family attorney, Ben Crump, released a statement, confirming that Harris will attend the funeral:
“This morning, Ms. RowVaughn Wells, Mr. Rodney Wells, and I spoke on the phone with Vice President Kamala Harris for over thirty minutes about the tragic loss of Tyre. Vice President Harris and Ms. Wells spoke exclusively, and during this emotional time, the Vice President was able to console Ms. Wells and even help her smile. Tyre’s parents invited Vice President Harris to the funeral tomorrow and were pleased that she accepted their invitation. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are grateful for Vice President Harris reaching out to them during this heartbreaking time and for her sensitivity on the call.”
The Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church is located at 70 N. Bellevue Boulevard in Memphis, according to WHBQ. Nichols will be laid to rest during a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. CT. It is expected to be streamed on the church’s Facebook page.
Rev. Al Sharpton is expected to deliver a eulogy at the funeral, according to the AP.
Breonna Taylor’s mother, Tamika Taylor, and George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, are also expected to attend Nichols’ funeral, according to NBC News.
Nichols’ family and the Rev. Al Sharpton are expected to gather Tuesday night at the Mason Temple in Memphis, according to the AP. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final speech the same evening he was assassinated. The reason for the gathering is to talk about the latest developments in the Nichols’ case.
Five officers who were involved in the SCORPION unit were fired. They have also been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of kidnapping along with other charges, according to WHBQ. Two other officers were fired Monday, bringing the total to seven officers. Three Memphis Fire personnel were also relieved of their duties as of Monday following an internal investigation.
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