Scottie Scheffler dragged and caused “pain, swelling, and abrasions” to police officer, according to police report
New details have emerged about the Scottie Scheffler arrest, including what he did to get charged with assault on a police officer. The world number one and pre-tournament betting favorite at the PGA Championship was arrested early Friday morning after a traffic incident, and the report gives more insight into what actually occurred.
The report states:
“Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel.”
Scheffler was then arrested and booked in a Louisville jail before being released. He then returned to the PGA Championship to commence the second round, which had been delayed due to a fatal crash nearby.
Initially, it wasn't stated what he did to assault the police officer. It was reported that traffic was stopped and Scheffler tried to continue driving when a police officer asked him to stop and exit his vehicle.
The report stated that he then handcuffed Scheffler after opening the door for him. He was taken away then. The new revelation from the official police report gives a clear picture of what transpired before the golfer was taken away.
It is unclear what legal punishments, if any, Scheffler will face for this. He was arrested officially, but he's already back at Valhalla for the second round of the tournament. He also recently welcomed his first child into the world with his wife, Meredith.
Officially, Scheffler is facing charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler addresses arrest
Before he started play at the PGA Championship on Friday, Scottie Scheffler released a statement on Instagram about the arrest. He'd by then been booked and released to return to the tournament, and he tried to clarify the situation.
The statement said, as per CNN:
“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.”
Scottie Scheffler then went on to add that everyone, himself included, expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the man who passed away in the accident early Friday morning.
He said that puts everything that has transpired into a better perspective.
The second round of the tournament hadn't even begun and it was thrown completely into chaos by two major incidents early in the morning.