Golfer Scottie Scheffler Arrested Everything to Know About the Situation
Scottie Scheffler during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 17, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Scottie Scheffler had a smooth start to the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship.
We learned that Scheffler, who is 27 years old, was stopped by the Louisville Metro Police on Friday, May 17, following an incident where a pedestrian was hit. This led to the local law enforcement blocking the road outside the Valhalla Golf Club.
At about 5:07 this morning, a pedestrian was tragically hit by a shuttle bus in front of Gate 2 at Valhalla Golf Club. The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the victim. All traffic lanes in the area were closed as the investigation took place, with LMPD personnel directing traffic.
In response to the incident, LMPD had to redirect traffic, causing a one-hour delay in the start of the PGA tournament. Golfer Scheffler was briefly detained by a police officer who was managing traffic due to the fatality. Despite being released on the same day to continue playing, the legal implications of the incident are still ongoing.
Keep scrolling to for everything to know about Scheffler’s arrest and what comes next:
Golfer Scottie Scheffler Arrested Everything to Know About the Situation
Scottie Scheffler. Louisville Department of Corrections/Getty Images
Why Was Scottie Scheffler Arrested?
According to a police report obtained by ESPN, Scheffler was on his way to the Valhalla Golf Club for the tournament's second round. Detective Bryan Gillis was directing traffic after a man died from being hit by a shuttle bus.
Scheffler drove his SUV into the lanes to avoid the traffic jam. Gillis stopped Scheffler and tried to give him instructions. However, Scheffler allegedly refused to follow the instructions and accelerated, causing Gillis to be dragged to the ground.
The detective at Scheffler's arrest was placed in handcuffs and brought to the local station. However, he was later released in time to return for the next round of the tournament.
Gillis was brought to the hospital for assessment after experiencing pain, swelling, and abrasions on his left wrist and knees, as stated in the report. The Toronto Sun noted that his pants were also severely damaged.
Were There Witnesses?
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington witnessed a situation where golfer Scottie Scheffler was driving his car around a crash scene. Despite being told by a police officer to stop, Scheffler continued on for a short distance.
According to Darlington, the police officer then tried to pull Scheffler out of the car. Eventually, Scheffler opened the door and was pulled out, pushed against the car, and handcuffed by the officer. Scheffler appeared shocked and confused, even asking Darlington for help as he was placed in the back of the police car. The entire incident unfolded quickly and aggressively.
Golfer Scottie Scheffler Arrested Everything to Know About the Situation
On May 17, 2024, Scottie Scheffler from the United States was seen strolling on the tenth green at Valhalla Golf Club during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship.
What Was Scheffler Charged With?
Scheffler faced serious charges for his actions. He was charged with a felony for second-degree assault of a police officer. In addition, he also faced charges for third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. These charges were all misdemeanors.
Does Scheffler Have to Go to Court?
An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, at 9 a.m. ET.
Has Scheffler Addressed the Incident?
Before hitting the golf course, Scheffler broke his silence about his arrest.
This morning, I followed the instructions given by the police officers. It was a chaotic situation due to a tragic accident that had happened earlier. There was a misunderstanding about what I was supposed to do," he mentioned in a statement released by PGA on Friday. "I never meant to ignore any instructions. I hope to move past this and focus on golf today. We all involved in the tournament offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It really makes you think about what's important."
Editor's P/S:
I am shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic accident that occurred at the 2024 PGA Championship, resulting in the death of a pedestrian. My deepest condolences go out to the victim's family and loved ones during this difficult time.
The subsequent arrest of Scottie Scheffler for his alleged involvement in the incident is a serious matter. The charges against him, including second-degree assault of a police officer and reckless driving, are significant and warrant further investigation. It is crucial that the legal process unfolds fairly and transparently to determine the facts of the case. I urge all parties involved to cooperate fully with the authorities and respect the integrity of the investigation.