Female Officer Accidentally Shoots Man With His Own Gun

In a startling turn of events during a routine traffic stop, Officer Mindy Cardwell of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was fired after she inadvertently shot a driver, Jason Arrington, with his own gun on December 13, 2024. The incident unfolded when Officer Shaun Lowry stopped Arrington for running a red light, with Officers Cardwell and Austin Weippert assisting.

Arrington, described as cooperative, voluntarily informed Lowry of the firearm he was carrying. Following standard procedure, he was asked to exit his vehicle. While attempting to secure the weapon, a Glock .45, from Arrington’s holster, Cardwell’s actions resulted in the gun firing, wounding Arrington in the thigh.

Body camera footage released by the Sheriff’s Office captured the chaotic aftermath, with Lowry expressing shock and Weippert quickly providing first aid, applying a tourniquet to Arrington’s leg to stem the bleeding. Arrington received immediate medical attention and was taken to a local hospital.

The injury has had lasting effects on Arrington, who works with heavy equipment, making his job more challenging. An investigation determined Cardwell’s handling of the situation was incompetent, leading to her dismissal from the force.

At the time, Cardwell was part of an off-duty program designed to enhance community relations and reduce violence. In response to the incident, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office issued new guidelines, stating officers should avoid taking firearms from legally armed citizens unless there’s a specific safety reason to do so.

The full details of the incident, including the body camera footage, are available for public viewing on the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s social media, with a warning for the graphic nature of the content.

Previous articleTrump Strips Bolton, Clapper, Brennan Of Clearances To Defend National Security
Next articleViolent Attack By Afghan Refugee On Caseworker Sparks Immigration Debate