One of the five Memphis officers charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols was the president of the Mississippi branch of a scandal-ridden fraternity.
Tadarrius Bean, 24, who was fired over his role in Nichols’ brutal beating, served as the head of the Omega Psi Phi’s Eta Zeta chapter at the University of Mississippi, according to his LinkedIn.
Although the fraternity boasts its more than 100 year history as a haven for black college students, it has been at the center of several hazing incidents in recent years.
One chapter in Virginia was suspended after members were found beaten and forced to pour hot sauce on their genitals, while two other members in a New York chapter were arrested for paddling a man’s testicles up to 200 times.
Bean and the four other officers involved in Nichols’ death continue to be scrutinized after a series of videos revealed the extent of their actions when arresting the 29-year-old and ignoring his twitching body as lay dying.
Tadarrius Bean, one of the Memphis officers charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols, served as the head of the Omega Psi Phi’s Eta Zeta chapter at the University of Mississippi
Although the frat champions itself as a beacon for black college students, it has been embroiled in controversies over brutal hazing rituals
Nichols died in the hospital after he was tased, kicked and punched in the head, struck three times with a metal baton, and twice hit with pepper spray in the face by five officers
Founded in 1911 at Howard University, a historically black college, Omega Psi Phi champions itself as a fraternity ‘on the front line, leveraging its power, influence and more than 100 years of commitment to the uplift of our people and our communities.’
But like many frats, Omega Psi Phi has been plagued with several scandals regarding abuse and hazing towards new members.
In 2019, a Virginia chapter at Old Dominion University was suspended for five years following an investigation into disturbing hazing incidents.
Members of the Tau Lambda chapter were found to have beaten prospective members, forced them to drink hot sauce and pour it on their genitals to simulate having Sexually Transmitted Disease, The Virginian Pilot reported.
The investigation said that members were forced to take part in a ‘crucifixion’ where they hang pledges on a board while they’re slapped in the face, back, chest and ribs.
School administrators noted that at least one pledge needed to be taken to the hospital to treat his injuries over the beatings.
A year prior to the Virginia investigation, two Omega Psi Phi members at its Brooklyn chapter were arrested for the brutal hazing of a 45-year-old pledge.
Steve Liverpool was arrested after he and another Brooklyn Omega Psi Phi member struck a 45-year-old pledge on his body, chest, back, buttocks and testicles between 150-200 times. Pictured: Liverpool attending a fraternity event
The victim of the fraternity, which Liverpool (above) and Keston Frank led, was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle breaks down and releases a protein into the blood that can damage the kidneys
Kindergarten teacher Steve Liverpool, and city employee Keston Frank, who head the Alpha Upsilon chapter, were charged with assault and hazing of Tory Gates.
Gates was struck on his body, chest, back, buttocks and testicles between 150-200 times, by hand and with a fraternity paddle, leaving him hospitalized, authorities charged in the 2018 complaint.
The victim was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle breaks down and releases a protein into the blood that can damage the kidneys, as well an inability to urinate following the attack.
Liverpool, who taught kindergarten in the Bronx, was reassigned to a position where he doesn’t oversee children, city Department of Education officials said.
Back in 2001, the fraternity’s branch at Tennessee State University was also suspended for five years after a pledge died during a hazing ritual.
Joseph T. Green, 25, collapsed on the lawn of the White Greek High School when he was pushed to complete various physical activities for the Omega Psi Phi chapter, CBS reported.
The medical examiner’s office said Green had a temperature of 103.7 when he passed out, noting that he also suffered an acute asthma attack.
No criminal charges were ever filed against the frat.
While the Omega Psi Phi has faced scrutiny in the past, Bean has never been charged in connection to any form of hazing.
After graduating college, he worked in the fast-food industry and then for AT&T in Memphis before joining the force.
Charged with second degree murder are (top, left to right) Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and (bottom, left to right) Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith
The five cops who were fired and charged over Nichols’ death are Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr, and Justin Smith.
They are charged with second-degree murder, assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Harrowing video of Nichols arrest showed how the officers tased him, kicked and punched him in the head, struck him three times with a metal baton, and twice sprayed him with mace in the face.
Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis has said other officers are under investigation for their part in the arrest.
Davis described the five officers’ actions as ‘heinous, reckless and inhumane.’
Tyre Nichols’ stepfather Rodney Wells (above) has called for criminal charges against the paramedics who appeared to fail to render aid after he was savagely beaten by police
As the investigation continues over Nichols death, his stepfather Rodney Wells and his lawyer, famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said the video demonstrates that other first responders should be reprimanded.
‘Everyone – the fire department, paramedics that came out that stood around and didn’t do anything – they’re just as guilty,’ Wells told ABC News following the release of the video.
‘Everyone that was active in the whole scene, the whole video, should be charged,’ he added.
The videos of Nichols’ arrest has sparked outrage nationwide, with many protests continuing into the weekend in Memphis, Atlanta and Boston demanding justice for the 29-year-old.
Video of Nichols’ arrest spawned a wave of protests on Friday carrying into the weekend
Protesters called for justice as they slammed the American criminal justice system
Pictured: Mourners placing items at a memorial site where Nichols was arrested and beaten