One of the five Memphis officers charged with the murder of Tire Nichols was the president of the Mississippi branch of a scandal-ridden fraternity.
Tadarrius Bean, 24, who was fired for his role in Nichols’ brutal beating, served as head of the Eta Zeta chapter of Omega Psi Phi at the University of Mississippi, according to LinkedIn.
Although the fraternity has a more than 100-year history as a haven for black college students, it has been at the center of several harassment incidents in recent years.
A Virginia chapter was suspended after members were found beaten and forced to pour hot sauce on their genitals, while two other members in a New York chapter were arrested for paddling a man’s testicles up to 200 times.
Bean and the four other officers involved in Nichols’ death remain under scrutiny after a series of videos revealed the extent of their actions as they arrested the 29-year-old and ignored his convulsing body as he lay dying.
Tadarrius Bean, one of the Memphis officers charged with the murder of Tire Nichols, served as head of the Eta Zeta chapter of Omega Psi Phi at the University of Mississippi
Although the fraternity acts as a beacon for black college students, it has been embroiled in controversy over brutal bullying rituals
Nichols died in hospital after being yelled at, kicked and punched in the head, beaten three times with a metal baton and hit twice in the face with pepper spray by five officers
Founded in 1911 at Howard University, a historically black college, Omega Psi Phi is a student organization “on the front lines, using its power, influence and more than 100 years of commitment to the uplifting of our people and communities uses”.
But like many fraternities, Omega Psi Phi has been plagued by multiple scandals regarding abuse and harassment of new members.
In 2019, a Virginia chapter at Old Dominion University was suspended for five years following an investigation into troubling hazing incidents.
Members of the Tau Lambda chapter were found to have beaten potential members and forced them to drink hot sauce and pour it on their genitals to simulate an STD, The Virginian Pilot reported.
The investigation found that members were forced to take part in a “crucifixion,” in which they posted vows on a board while being slapped in the face, back, chest and ribs.
The school administration determined that at least one pledge had to be taken to the hospital to treat his injuries from the beating.
A year before the Virginia investigation, two Omega Psi Phi members were arrested at their Brooklyn chapter for brutally harassing a 45-year-old promise.
Steve Liverpool was arrested after he and another Brooklyn Omega Psi Phi member inflicted a 45-year-old pledge on his body, chest, back, buttocks and testicles between 150 and 200 times. Pictured: Liverpool attend a fraternity event
The victim of the fraternity led by Liverpool (above) and Keston Frank was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscles break down and release a protein into the blood that can damage the kidneys
Kindergarten teacher Steve Liverpool and city employee Keston Frank, who run the Alpha Upsilon chapter, have been charged with assaulting and bullying Tory Gates.
Gates was beaten between 150 and 200 times by hand and with a compound paddle on his body, chest, back, buttocks and testicles, necessitating hospitalization, authorities said in the 2018 complaint.
The victim was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscles are broken down and a protein is released into the blood that can damage the kidneys, as well as an inability to urinate after the attack.
Liverpool, who taught kindergarten in the Bronx, has been moved to a position where he does not supervise children, city Department of Education officials said.
In 2001, the fraternity branch at Tennessee State University was also suspended for five years after a pawn died during a bullying ritual.
Joseph T. Green, 25, collapsed on the lawn at White Greek High School while being pushed to complete various physical activities for the Omega Psi Phi chapter, CBS reported.
The coroner’s office said Green had a temperature of 103.7 when he passed out, noting he was also suffering an acute asthma attack.
No criminal charges were ever brought against the Frat.
While the Omega Psi Phi has come under scrutiny in the past, Bean has never been charged in connection with any form of turbidity.
After graduating from college, he worked in the fast food industry and then for AT&T in Memphis before joining the police force.
Charged with second degree murder are (top left to right) Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III and (bottom left to right) Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith
The five police officers who were fired and charged in Nichols’ death are Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
They are charged with second-degree murder, assault, aggravated kidnapping, misconduct and suppression of office.
Harrowing video of Nichols’ arrest showed officers picking him up, kicking him and punching him in the head, hitting him three times with a metal club and spraying him twice in the face with clubs.
Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis said other officers are being investigated for their involvement in the arrest.
Davis described the five officers’ actions as “disgusting, inconsiderate and inhumane”.
Tyre Nichols’ stepfather Rodney Wells (above) has called for criminal charges against the paramedics who appeared not to provide assistance after he was brutally beaten by police
While the investigation into Nichols’ death continues, his stepfather Rodney Wells and his attorney, famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said the video showed other first responders should be reprimanded.
“Everyone — the fire department, the paramedics that came out, that stood around doing nothing — they’re just as guilty,” Wells told ABC News after the video’s release.
“Anyone who was active in the whole scene, the whole video, should be charged,” he added.
Videos of Nichols’ arrest have sparked outrage across the country, and many protests in Memphis, Atlanta and Boston continued into the weekend demanding justice for the 29-year-old.
Video of Nichols’ arrest sparked a wave of protests Friday that continued into the weekend
Protesters demanded justice as they slammed the American criminal justice system
Pictured: Mourners place items at a memorial where Nichols was arrested and beaten