The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has released details regarding an officer-involved incident that occurred on December 13, 2024, during a traffic stop.
Police Officer S. Lowry stopped a vehicle driven by Jason Arrington for running a red light. Officers A. Weippert and M. Cardwell arrived to assist. Arrington, cooperative throughout the stop, informed Officer Lowry that he was armed.
Officer Lowry directed Arrington to exit the vehicle, which he did without issue. As Officer Cardwell attempted to remove the firearm from Arrington’s waist, the weapon discharged, striking him in the leg.
An Internal Affairs investigation concluded with a sustained charge of incompetence against Officer Mindy Cardwell, and termination proceedings have been initiated.
In line with Sheriff Waters’ commitment to transparency, JSO has released body-worn camera footage from all three officers and a photograph of the vehicle’s damaged steering column.
Internal Affairs Summation of the Investigation
On December 13, 2024, at 5:11 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Police Officer Shaun Lowry #84209 on Main Street North prior to the intersection of 27th Street North. The driver of the vehicle, Jason Arrington, was stopped for running a red light and was initially contacted by Lowry on the passenger side of the vehicle. During Lowry’s initial contact with Arrington, Arrington informed Lowry that he had a firearm, and that the firearm was physically on him. Lowry then informed Arrington that he was going to have him exit his vehicle and the firearm was going to be removed while the traffic stop was completed. Police Officer Austin Weippert #84193 and Police Officer Mindy Cardwell #73735 facilitated removing Arrington from his vehicle from the driver’s side of the vehicle. As Cardwell attempted to remove the firearm from a holster attached to Arrington’s waistband, Cardwell put pressure on the trigger of the firearm, causing the weapon to fire a round into Arrington’s right leg.
Investigative Note: On December 16, 2024, Cardwell’s law enforcement authority was rescinded, and she was transferred to the JSO Tele-Serv Unit. The other three officers involved were exonerated of any wrong-doing.
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