Charges against world No 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler are being dropped by prosecutors it was confirmed on Wednesday.
An agreement between Scheffler and the Louisville Metro Police Department stipulates that both sides have agreed not to pursue any legal action related to his arrest at the US PGA Championship earlier this month, according to Kentucky’s NewsRadio 840 WHAS.
Jefferson county attorney Mike O’Connell confirmed the case would not go forward in a court hearing on Wednesday.
“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 [Bryan] 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 arrested in the early hours of 17 May as he tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club, the site of the tournament. Traffic had been stopped outside the course after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a shuttle bus.
According to the arrest citation, Scheffler failed to stop on arresting officer Bryan Gillis’ command, and the detective grabbed the golfer’s car as Scheffler tried to drive away. Gillis fell to the ground.
As a result, Scheffler was facing charges of felony second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scheffler was released from jail in time to play his second round. A four-time PGA Tour winner this season, Scheffler was the overwhelming pre-tournament favorite. He finished tied for eighth at 13 under par.
Gillis was later disciplined by his department because his body-worn camera was turned off during the arrest.
However, a new video surfaced on Wednesday of Scheffler’s conversation with an officer while sitting in the back of a police car. In the video, Scheffler said he didn’t know that a man wearing a yellow jacket and trying to stop him, presumably Gillis, was a policeman. Scheffler also said the officer “hit” him with a flashlight.
“If I knew he was a police officer, I would have been much less afraid,” Scheffler said. “But panic kind of set in. As you can see, I’m still shaking because I was afraid. I didn’t know who he was. He didn’t say, ‘Police, get out of the car.’ He just hit me with his flashlight and yelled, ‘Get out of the car.’”
Scheffler’s arraignment had been set for 3 June and his Louisville-based attorney, Steven Romines, previously said he would plead not guilty and would not accept a plea deal.
In an Instagram story posted after news that the charged had been dropped, Scheffler said he was happy to move on from the incident.
“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. “Police officers have a difficult job and I hold them in high regard. This was a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation.”
Scheffler also wrote about John Mills, the pedestrian who had been killed on the morning of the golfer’s arrest.
“I appreciate the support during the past two weeks and want to again encourage everyone to remember the real tragedy of May 17,” Scheffler wrote. “My thoughts and prayers continue to be with John Mills and his family, and I hope to personally offer my condolences now that the case is over.”