On Friday evening, December 13, at approximately 5:10 p.m., a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for running a red light in the 3000 block of North Main Street.
As the officer approached the vehicle, the driver, a 39-year-old black male, informed the officer that he was carrying a firearm in his waistband. The officer asked the driver to exit the vehicle, which he did without resistance. As the officer attempted to remove firearm for safekeeping, she inadvertently discharged the firearm, striking the driver in the leg.
JSO Commander Michael Paul of Specialized Investigations confirmed the incident appeared to be accidental, with no struggle between the officer and the driver. The driver was cooperative throughout the encounter.
Both the officer and a backup officer immediately provided first aid and applied a tourniquet to the driver’s wound. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) responded and transported the driver to a local hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.
The JSO Homicide Cold Case Unit, which handles investigations into officer-involved incidents, is conducting a thorough investigation.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.