LOUISVILLE, KY — Criminal charges levied against the world’s No. 1 Golfer, Scottie Scheffler, were dropped on by Jefferson County after the events during the 2024 PGA Championships. Scheffler claims that he bears no ill will towards any of the police officers involved and hopes to move on to bigger and better things.
"I hold no ill will toward Officer Gillis. I wish to put this incident behind me and move on, and I hope he will do the same," Scheffler wrote on his Instagram on Wednesday. "Police officers have a difficult job, and I hold them in high regard. This was a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation."
Scheffler was arrested on Friday, May 17, while attempting to enter Valhalla Country Club before his tee time during the PGA Championships. In what Scheffler described as a ‘chaotic situation,’ Police officers quickly approached his vehicle as he was pulling into the club. Video from across the street shows that the vehicle touched an officer before police detained Scheffler.
“At about 5:07 this morning, in front of Gate 2 at Valhalla Golf Club, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a shuttle bus. LMPD expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the individual who died as a result of that collision. All lanes of traffic at the scene were closed while the fatality investigation occurred,” LMPD said in a statement on May 17. “LMPD personnel were also directing traffic around the scene. While an officer was directing traffic, an encounter with a motorist attempting to make entry into a restricted area ultimately led to the driver being arrested. We are in the process of conducting a thorough investigation. We appreciate that all parties involved are fully cooperating.”
Scheffler was charged with a felony for second-degree assault of a police officer. He was also charged with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic, which are all misdemeanors.
Scottie Scheffler
(Credit: instagram.com/scottie.scheffler)
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell said prosecutors would not pursue the case and asked for the charges to be dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can't be filed again in the future.
"Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said. "Mr. Scheffler's characterization that this was a 'big misunderstanding' is corroborated by the evidence. The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler. However, Mr. Scheffler's actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses."
Scheffler was not present at the hearing that took place at May 27, but made a statement about the situation on his Instagram account later.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: