Florida Officer Mindy Cardwell Fired After Accidentally Shooting Driver Jason Arrington with His Own Gun During Traffic Stop
A Florida police officer has been terminated after accidentally shooting a driver with his own firearm during a routine traffic stop in Jacksonville. Officer Mindy Cardwell discharged Jason Arrington’s gun while attempting to remove it from his waistband, striking him in the upper thigh and causing severe injuries. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) released body camera footage and concluded that Cardwell acted incompetently, leading to her firing. Arrington, who is suing the department, continues to recover but faces lasting physical and emotional challenges.
Incident Overview
- Date and Location: December 13, 2024, Jacksonville, Florida.
- Officers Involved: Officer Mindy Cardwell, Officer Shaun Lowry, and a third assisting officer.
- Driver: Jason Arrington, 39, legally carrying a Glock .45 semi-automatic pistol in a waistband holster.
Sequence of Events
- Traffic Stop: Arrington was pulled over by Officer Lowry for running a red light. He informed the officers about his legally carried firearm and fully cooperated.
- Firearm Removal Attempt: After Arrington exited his vehicle, Officer Cardwell attempted to remove the firearm from his holster.
- Accidental Discharge: Cardwell struggled with the tight holster and unintentionally placed multiple fingers inside the trigger guard, causing the gun to discharge.
- Injury and Response: The bullet struck Arrington in the upper thigh, exiting through his inner leg and causing a severe arterial bleed. Officers applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding before paramedics arrived.
Body Camera Footage
- The JSO released footage showing Arrington calmly cooperating with officers.
- Cardwell’s shocked reaction was visible after the accidental discharge.
- One officer was heard expressing shock immediately after the gun fired.
Arrington’s Injuries and Lawsuit
- Injuries: Arrington sustained lasting injuries, including difficulty performing his job as a crane operator.
- Lawsuit: He has filed a lawsuit against JSO, citing physical impairments, emotional distress, and potential loss of income.
- Legal Argument: His attorney, Kay Harper Williams, argued that Arrington’s civil rights were violated and emphasized the need for policy changes and transparency.
Internal Affairs Investigation
- Findings: The investigation concluded that Officer Cardwell acted with incompetence during the incident.
- Actions Taken: Cardwell was charged and subsequently fired from her position.
- Key Detail: Cardwell used her non-dominant hand to remove the firearm and failed to handle the weapon safely.
Policy Changes
- New Guidelines: JSO updated its policies to state that officers should not seize a firearm unless there is articulable suspicion that the person poses a threat.
- Objective: The change aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Public and Legal Reactions
- Press Conference: Arrington held a press conference in December 2024, detailing the physical and emotional toll of the incident.
- Transparency: The release of body camera footage and the transparency of JSO’s investigation have been praised.
- Ongoing Advocacy: Arrington’s legal team continues to push for further accountability and training improvements.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the risks associated with handling firearms during routine traffic stops and underscores the importance of proper training and policy enforcement. The termination of Officer Cardwell and the subsequent policy changes reflect JSO’s efforts to address the issue, but the lawsuit and public scrutiny suggest that more work is needed to restore trust and ensure safety in such encounters.
For further details, you can refer to the full body camera footage and internal affairs report released by JSO.