Top Louisville police officials 'believe Scottie Scheffler's charges are excessive and should be REDUCED' following World No. 1's dramatic PGA Championship arrest

23/05/2024

Scheffler faces four charges, including second-degree assault of a police officerREAD MORE: Scottie Scheffler's arraignment date is DELAYED until June 3

Scottie Scheffler's arrest has raised some concerns among the Louisville Metro Police Department, according to a report.

The World No. 1 was arrested in the early hours of last Friday morning before his second round of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky, with shocking images showing him handcuffed as he was taken to jail for not following police orders during a pedestrian fatality investigation.

The 27-year-old was booked on four charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer, which is a felony.

However, top brass within the Louisville police department, which is set to hold a press conference on the arrest at 11:30am ET Thursday, are said to have privately voiced concerns about the charges.

In particular, they fear the felony charge against the two-time Masters champion is 'excessive', according to CNN.

A mugshot of world no 1 Scottie Scheffler following his arrest by Louisville police on Friday

Scottie Scheffler's shocking arrest will leave a lasting scar on Louisville, worried locals tell Daily Mail - as they ask: Will the PGA Championship EVER return to Valhalla?

During a recent meeting, multiple police officials reportedly discussed the charges against the PGA Tour star with the group agreeing that the felony charge 'seems excessive given the details of the case,' a source told the outlet.

It is believed to be the first indication from the powers that be within the police force believe the charges should be reduced.

Scheffler was initially scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday but the hearing has been pushed back until June 3.

The police department is slated to hold a press conference Thursday morning, when footage of the arrest is expected to be released. Meanwhile, Scheffler tees it up for the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at 1:45pm ET at Colonial in his home state of Texas.

'The internal investigation is still ongoing,' a Louisville Police Department statement read Tuesday, from Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.

'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.'

Scheffler was accused of failing to stop for police as he attempted to gain entry at a point when they were managing traffic in the wake of a fatal collision between a bus and a member of the tournament's security staff, John Mills.

The police report said Scheffler failed to comply with instructions and then drove away from an officer, Bryan Gillis, causing him to be dragged along by the two-time Masters winner's car.

[video_shortcode_video_html_5 src="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2024/05/17/7226735223508614772/1024x576_MP4_7226735223508614772.mp4" itemprop="image" content="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2024/05/17/7226735223508614772/1024x576_MP4_7226735223508614772.mp4" data-src="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2024/05/17/7226735223508614772/1024x576_MP4_7226735223508614772.mp4"]

The Masters champion is alleged to have driven away from officer Bryan Gillis (pictured)

Fans quickly donned 'Free Scottie' t-shirts at Valhalla after the crazy events of Friday morning

Hours later, Scheffler was back out on the course, and birdied two of his first three holes

Xander Schauffele reveals how golf stars ROASTED Scottie Scheffler on WhatsApp over PGA Championship arrest

He was taken to a Louisville jail and booked in Jefferson County on four charges; felony second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.

In a statement last week, Scheffler said the incident was a 'big misunderstanding', while his attorney Steve Romines said he plans to plead not guilty.

Scheffler was released from jail and made it to the course in time to play his second round and miraculously shot a five-under 66.

However, he fell out of contention for the tournament with a 73 on Saturday - his first round over par since last August. He closed with a 65, tying for eighth place.

ESPN's Bob Wischusen, who does play-by-play commentary on the New York Jets during the NFL season, provided fresh details on the incident earlier this week.

Wischusen was in the van with Jeff Darlington, who first reported on the arrest and whose video of Scheffler being led away into a police car has amassed over 20 million views on social media.

Talking to Golf.com, Wischusen claimed Gillis was 'pretty, you know, enthusiastic' as he walked up to Scheffler's vehicle and beamed his flashlight into the golfer's face.

Wischusen then claimed Gillis screamed at Scheffler, saying words to the effect of: 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, who are you? Where are you going? Get back in line. You're not allowed to come through here.'

Scheffler has a reputation as a devout Christian, and a family man who has just started a family

Gillis was 'scolding' Scheffler for passing the vehicle Wischusen and the ESPN crew were in and it was unclear whether he was a police officer or tournament security because of their yellow reflective jackets.

After Scheffler drove forward, the situation then escalated and Gillis 'got very angry pursuing the car.'

Wischusen claimed the officer was 'kind of running alongside chasing the car, and maybe he tripped and fell.

He added: 'I mean, there was kind of an outcropping or median, you know, by the front gate. And keep in mind, it was raining. It was 6 o'clock in the morning. It was dark.'

Asked about the claims of Gillis 'attaching' himself to the car, Wischusen said: 'I could see him stumble, but I did not have a very clear view of exactly how you want to categorize his contact with the car.'

Read More

Scottie Scheffler's shocking arrest will leave a lasting scar on Louisville, worried locals tell Daily Mail - as they ask: Will the PGA Championship EVER return to Valhalla?

Read More

Xander Schauffele reveals how golf stars ROASTED Scottie Scheffler on WhatsApp over PGA Championship arrest

OTHER NEWS