Louisville Metro Police Detective Bryan Gillis issued a statement after all charges were dropped against Scottie Scheffler with prejudice. Scheffler was accused of assaulting Gillis during the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Gillis claimed that Scheffler disobeyed his orders and then dragged him to the ground with his car causing injuries to the officer and his clothing. Despite the lack of evidence to support his claims, Gillis stood by his recollection of the incident. He expressed concern for Jon Mills, a security officer who was struck and killed by a shuttle bus that morning, causing a traffic backup and delaying play. Gillis wished Scheffler and his family well, and joked about the expensive pants that were ruined during the incident.
Scheffler was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from a traffic officer. He was released on personal recognizance and later returned to Valhalla Golf Club, where he called the incident a “big misunderstanding.” Scheffler expressed no ill will towards Officer Gillis and stated that he wanted to move on from the incident. He emphasized the difficult job that police officers have and encouraged everyone to remember the real tragedy of May 17, offering his condolences to John Mills’ family and hoping for peace for the deceased.
Detective Gillis had previously been disciplined by the Louisville Police for violating a policy related to body-camera footage. Despite the disciplinary action, Gillis maintained his version of events regarding the altercation with Scheffler. He claimed to have been dragged by the car, sustaining injuries to his knees and wrists. Gillis expressed a desire to recover from the incident and offered well wishes to Scheffler and his family. The statement was capped off by a lighthearted comment about the ruined $80 pants, referencing the unexpected fame they garnered as a result of the incident.
The incident involving Scheffler and Gillis will likely go down as one of the more memorable footnotes in recent major championship history. The bizarre circumstances surrounding the altercation, the subsequent legal proceedings, and the statements issued by both parties have captured public attention. Despite the seriousness of the charges initially brought against Scheffler, the matter was ultimately resolved with all charges being dropped. The differing perspectives of Gillis and Scheffler, along with the tragic death of security officer Jon Mills, added layers of complexity to the situation.
Scheffler’s Instagram statement offered a conciliatory tone towards Officer Gillis, expressing a desire to put the incident behind him and move forward. He acknowledged the misunderstanding that occurred in the chaotic situation and emphasized his respect for police officers and the difficult job they perform. Scheffler also reiterated his condolences for John Mills and his family, recognizing the true tragedy of May 17. By addressing the incident with maturity and empathy, Scheffler sought to bring closure to a challenging and emotional chapter in his professional career. The resolution of the case allowed both parties to move on from the incident and focus on their respective roles and responsibilities.
