Mayor, police chief say ‘legal process’ will play out in Scheffler case, arresting officer reprimanded

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel addressed Scottie Scheffler’s arrest last Friday but did not take questions from reporters.

“We have to respect the legal process and that’s what we’re going to do,” Greenberg said Thursday at Louisville Metro Hall.

Greenberg reiterated that the arresting officer, Det. Bryan Gillis, did not activate his body-cam device and that there was no footage of the initial incident that took place outside of Valhalla Golf Club.

Chief Gwinn-Villaroel said, “Detective Gillis did not have his body-worn camera operational ready. Our officer has received corrective action for his policy violation. We respect the judicial process, and we will allow the courts to proceed.”

Scheffler was arrested prior to the second round of the PGA Championship when he tried to divert traffic and enter onto clubhouse grounds.

Gillis – who was injured when Scheffler “refused to comply” with instructions and “accelerated forward,” according to the incident report – did not have his body camera activated during the incident or the arrest. Scheffler was charged with four counts including assaulting a police officer, which is a felony.

Greenberg spoke Thursday of the need for “transparency,” and added that, “We are releasing today video footage at the time of Mr. Scheffler’s arrest from two video cameras. One of those video cameras is a fixed video camera from the other side of Shelbyville Road. And the other video is from a dash cam of a police car.”

Greenberg and Gwinn-Villaroel said the videos would be released on the police department’s YouTube page (and will be included here when available).

Outside the courthouse, Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, said, “Mr. Scheffler didn’t do anything wrong. We’re not interested in settling the case. We’ll either try it or it’ll be dismissed.”

Scheffler is facing arraignment on June 3 and must appear in person.