Nobody had “#1 Ranked Golfer in the World, Scottie Scheffler Arrested as He Attempted to Drive into the Parking Lot at Valhalla Friday Morning” on their 2024 PGA Championship bingo card. It’s now seven days later and we have been provided with two videos of the incident and learned some details of the facts that led to this remarkable event. Based upon our review of videos, statements made by witnesses, statements made by the Mayor of Louisville and information obtained from a source within the Louisville Metro Police Department, the following is a summary of what we know so far.
At approximately 5:00 AM retiree John Mills, a volunteer working security for the event, was tragically struck and killed near “Entrance One” to the property by a shuttle bus. As a result of the investigation into this fatal accident, traffic was bottlenecked leading to the course and round 2 tee times had already been delayed by the PGA of America.
Police officers already assigned to the event had set up a check point approximately one mile from the parking lot entrance. They instructed those with certain credentials (competitors, caddies, tournament officials and media members) on the procedure to enter the grounds. Multiple competitors and media members confirmed this and stated that following these instructions they were able to and did in fact enter the parking lot that Scheffler was attempting to access. The dash cam footage provided at noon today confirms these facts. Countless cars and a few buses travelled “the wrong” way and successfully made the left hand from the “improper lane” to turn into the property.
Sources inside the Louisville Police Department had previously informed us that the officers assigned to the Championship are golfers and fans and were specifically selected to work the event. They also stated Detective Gillis is a member of the Highway Division and was at the scene solely due to the earlier fatality.
Pursuant to Louisville PD regulations, officers involved in police activities are required to wear an active body camera. Many had surmised that this footage would provide the evidence necessary to resolve precisely what occurred Friday morning. We now know that Detective Gillis DID NOT have the required body camera running during the interaction with Scheffler.
“The officer did not have bodycam footage turned on during the incident. We will release the footage that we have” stated Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. Sources have indicated that Gillis, with 13 prior reprimands on his record, has been “given time off” following the incident. Mayor Greenberg, at a press conference today, both released PD findings that Detective Gillis failed to comply with applicable regulations and that he had been disciplined for this failure.
Following the conference, the Louisville Metro PD release on its YouTube channel two video of the incident. One is from a pole located across the road from the entrance and the other is of a police dash cam from a vehicle facing the entrance. While acknowledging that other videos exist, Mayor Greenberg stated that those videos would not be released until subsequent to the conclusion of legal proceedings at the request of the prosecutor’s office.
The Pole Camera
Situated on a pole across from the entrance to Valhalla, the brief footage shows stopped traffic and the general scene. The video provided begins shortly prior to the incident and ends with Scheffler’s arrest.
Primarily blocked by a bus, it is impossible to see the initial interaction (if any) between the parties. When Scheffler’s vehicle comes into view, its travelling slowly and makes a left turn into the entrance. What we surmise is the officer in question is seen jogging behind and to the left of the car and we see him take a 45 degree angle to reach the side of the vehicle where he proceeds to strike the driver’s side window with a flashlight. Upon the window being struck, Scheffler immediately stops. There is an exchange and it appears the officer reaches into the window. The door is opened and Scheffler is pulled out and throw against the car.
Dash Cam Footage
The provided footage from the dashcam is significantly longer than the pole cam. It also clearly demonstrates the conditions that existed leading up to and at the time of the incident. The area in front of the entrance is controlled chaos. Police vehicles everywhere and zero traffic moving. With one exception. For the better part of an hour preceding the incident, cars and buses are moving in the “wrong” lane and making left hand turns into the entrance. (Which as discussed above, they were told to do by the officers manning the checkpoint a mile from the entrance).
Immediately prior to Scottie arriving at the scene, a bus makes half a left turn into the entrance and stops. We can see that a number of persons (presumed to be officers and/or private security) approach the driver’s side window. After a few moments they walk away and we see the bus driver exit the bus. Moments later (after the persons who had been standing in the road next to the bus move out of the way) we see Scheffler begin to slowly move forward to make the left turn. Neither video shows the officer violently precipitated to the ground causing the injuries claimed or the catastrophic $80 worth of damage to his pants.
What Happens Next?
Scheffler’s arraignment, previously scheduled for this week, was adjourned to June 3rd over the objection of the prosecuting attorney. Both sides have issued statements that there will be no plea bargain reached. Either the case will be dismissed or we will get to see the golf “trial of the century” in the coming months. In the meantime, Scheffler teed it up this afternoon in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth.
