A Florida Law Enforcement Officer Mistakenly Shoots at Unarmed Suspect
Internal Investigation Report Reveals Excessive Force, But No Criminal Wrongdoing
A Florida law enforcement officer fired shots at an unarmed and handcuffed man, mistaking the sound of a falling acorn for a gunshot, according to documents from the internal investigation. The incident, which occurred in Okaloosa County, has raised concerns about the use of force by law enforcement officers and has since been revealed as an accident. Former deputy Jesse Hernandez, who was involved in the incident, has been found to have used excessive force by the investigation released by the Sheriff’s Office. However, both Hernandez and a sergeant who also fired at the unarmed suspect, Marquis Jackson, have been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, according to Sheriff Eric Aden.
Unarmed Suspect Unharmed Despite Shots Fired
Fortunately, Jackson, who was handcuffed in the back of the patrol car when the shots were fired, was not injured in the incident. Hernandez, who was under investigation at the time, later resigned from his position. Reflecting on the incident, Sheriff Aden expressed gratitude that Jackson wasn’t hurt and stated that Hernandez’s actions were not justified. Aden emphasized the importance of officer safety and also highlighted law enforcement’s responsibility to protect citizens, even those being investigated for a crime.
Investigation Report Provides Detailed Account of the Incident
A 44-page investigation report was made public by Sheriff Aden, offering comprehensive insights into the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to the report, the sequence of events began when deputies responded to a residential neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach, prompted by a woman’s complaint against her boyfriend, Marquis Jackson. Jackson was accused of stealing her car and making threats. The woman presented deputies with alleged threatening texts and a photo, which was misinterpreted as showing a gun. When in fact, it depicted only a small portion of a gray metal cylinder, mistaken for a firearm suppressor attached to a gun. The report also reveals that Jackson was believed to possess multiple firearms.
An Acorn’s Fall Leads to Use of Excessive Force
The critical moment in the incident came when Hernandez was walking back to the patrol vehicle to conduct a search of Jackson. Unbeknownst to him, it was in that exact moment that an acorn fell on the roof of the patrol car. The sound, captured by Hernandez’s body camera, was mistaken for a gun being fired. The report indicates that 1.1 seconds transpired between the acorn’s impact and the moment Hernandez shouted “shots fired” in response to his perceived threat. In the body camera footage, Hernandez can be seen dropping to the ground before firing his weapon. Subsequently, a crossfire ensued as Sgt. Beth Roberts, hearing Hernandez’s distress, fired her weapon too. Fortunately, no one was injured in the exchange of gunfire.
A Series of Remorseful Revelations in the Investigation
During the course of the investigation, Hernandez consistently maintained that he felt his life was in immediate danger when he heard the sound he believed to be gunfire. However, upon examination of the body camera footage, it became clear that an acorn falling on the patrol car was the source of the sound. Pictures of the acorn falling were shown to Hernandez, causing him to acknowledge the possibility that the acorn was indeed the sound he heard. He admitted that the acorn’s impact may have been louder than he initially perceived. Notably, Hernandez, who had never been shot before, experienced a rush of panic and confusion during the ordeal. It was only after being taken to the hospital did he discover that he had not been shot.
A Piercing Reminder of the Importance of Clarity and Accountability
The internal investigation into this incident was diligently undertaken, taking eight weeks to complete. Sheriff Aden explained that the case required an exceptional level of clarity, thus extending the investigative period. He acknowledged the responsibility that law enforcement professionals have in serving the public, and concluded that the incident was a failure to meet the high standards of service upheld by the department.
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