A Florida policewoman was fired after accidentally shooting a driver during a traffic stop with his own gun.
According to an internal report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shared with the media, Officer Shaun Lowry stopped Jason Arrington, a driver, for running a stop sign around 5:10 pm on December 13, 2024. Officers Mindy Cards and Austin Weippert also assisted with the stop.
Arrington, whom police described as being “cooperative” at the time of the stop, told Lowry he was carrying a legal gun on his person. Police said on social media that he complied with the instructions to get out of his vehicle.
Cardwell then removed the gun, which was identified as a Glock semi-automatic pistol in the report, from the holster that Arrington had on his waistband. Cardwell, according to the report of internal affairs, “put pressure on the trigger, causing the firearm to fire one round into Arrington’s right leg.”
Arrington told investigators Cardwell “jerked the weapon” several times, which caused the discharge. Cardwell told the investigators the holster “wouldn’t come off” Arrington’s waistband and that she was using her nondominant arm to remove the gun.
The police released the bodycam footage from all three officers. Lowry is heard screaming “Holy S —!” after the gun went off. Weippert is heard asking Arrington whether he’s OK. The pair then radioed help. Weippert is seen helping Arrington to the side and applying a tourniquet. Arrington’s pant leg is covered in blood. Cardwell assisted in first aid.
According to the report of internal affairs, “Arrington was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition.” The report said that Arrington told investigators the injury made it difficult for him to perform his job. This included operating equipment such as cranes and lift trucks.
Cardwell’s conduct was investigated by the Internal Affairs Department. Cardwell was fired after a charge of incompetence against her.
Cardwell was “working off-duty” as part of the Office’s Group Violence Intervention Initiative, according to the Report. Local media reported that the initiative aims to reduce crime and foster relationships between law enforcement officers and the public.
According to an internal report, the incident led to a new policy for the sheriff’s department on how to handle encounters with someone who is legally armed. According to the report, officers are no longer allowed to seize firearms from people who have a permit for carrying them.
