JACKSONVILLE, FL – Bodycam footage of an officer involved shooting from January that left a 17-year-old suspect dead was recently released by officials in the wake of desired transparency in police shootings.
While the footage released displays a chaotic, brief and difficult to discern interaction, authorities still remain steadfast in referring to the shooting as being justified.
The report finds that although Kwame Jones was an unarmed passenger, his accidental shooting was justified because another passenger aimed a gun at the officer. https://t.co/CFHH9Hz92N
— First Coast News (@FCN2go) October 9, 2020
According to the State Attorney’s Office investigative summary, 17-year-old Kwame Jones was shot by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Officer Nicholas Lawson on January 5th of 2020 following an attempted traffic stop of a stolen vehicle.
What led to the shooting incident of Jones, who was unarmed when shot by Officer Lawson, was due mainly to that of the other suspects inside of the stolen vehicle at the time.
When Officer Lawson tried to pull over the stolen vehicle, 18-year-old Bobby Whitty – who was driving the vehicle – had instead led Officer Lawson on a chase. Carter has reportedly crashed into a concrete pole of a pedestrian overpass, which then Officer Lawson attempted to approach the vehicle after exiting his issued vehicle.
But a man in the backseat of the vehicle, identified as 18-year-old Joseph Carter, produced a firearm and pointed it at Officer Lawson.
In response, Officer Lawson opened fire at Carter, who was non-fatally wounded, but incidentally wound up striking Jones who was seated in front of Carter at the time.
While there’s nothing in the report that alleges Jones presented a material threat himself to Officer Lawson, the incidental shooting of him was also justified because of the threat that Carter posed who happened to be staged near Jones when Officer Lawson opened fire.
The State Attorney’s Office investigative summary explains that aspect as follows:
“The fact that Jones did not point a firearm at Officer Lawson does not change the analysis or conclusions about Officer Lawson’s actions.
Under the theory of transferred intent, the unintended killing of Jones was justified under these circumstances, due to Carter’s decision to point the firearm directly at Officer Lawson.”
Despite Whitty having fled the scene on foot while Officer Lawson was occupied with Carter at the time, Whitty was also arrested shortly after Carter was taken into custody.
Carter was booked under charges of possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent found to have committed a felony, whereas Whitty was charged with aggravated fleeing from police.
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LOS ANGELES, CA – Several weeks ago, we brought you the story of the of a Los Angeles Police officer that was attacked in the lobby of the Harbor Division station (see below for that story and the details surrounding the incident).
On Wednesday, the LAPD released body-worn camera footage of the attack that left Officer Anthony Freeman bleeding from the head and in need of medical attention.
On the night of September 26th, 29-year-old Jose Cerpa Guzman entered the station, approached Officer Freeman in the lobby and then attacked him, according to the footage released by the LAPD.
YouTube screenshot
Knocking the officer to the ground, Guzman can be seen struggling with him for his service weapon. Gaining control of the weapon, Guzman then began to pistol-whip Officer Freeman around his head and face, causing lacerations.
Guzman then stood up and began retreating for the door while pointing the gun at the officer.
As he is leaving the facility, another officer comes into view and runs to assist Officer Freeman. He informs her that the suspect has his gun. As she moves towards the door in pursuit of Guzman, he opens fire. The female officer dives for cover before returning fire. No one was struck in the exchange.
Guzman then fled in his vehicle. A radio call went out:
“Officer needs help. Shots fired.”
That call can be heard at the 2:38 mark of the video below.
Starting at the 3:54 mark, the video shows Guzman pulling into the station entrance in what appears to be a white Chevrolet Avalanche. He struggles with the tailgate of his truck for several moments.
Upon entering the building, he is met by Freeman. The two can be seen in a tense conversation with Guzman advance then backing off numerous times before appearing to leave the station only to return and begin the assault on the officer.
After the two responding officers go outside, we see several moments of the body-worn camera footage from the injured officer. It is apparent that he is continuing to bleed profusely.
He finally reaches for his radio to try to call for a rescue ambulance (RA). Another officer comes in the lobby and his tells them to call an RA as he “is starting to black out.”
In one of the most poignant parts of the video, at least to this writer, is shown when two responding officers hear the radio traffic calling for the rescue ambulance. Upon hearing “officer down,” one of the officers responded with a one simple word.
“FUCK!”
In that single word, we hear the anger, hurt, frustration and fear that our law enforcement community carries with them every single day.
They are tired of being targeted. They are tired of losing members of the thin blue line. And those of who love and support law enforcement feel those very emotions in hearing his response.
The rest of the video then shows the pursuit and apprehension of Guzman from officers points of view. He can be heard crying throughout the arrest.
Law Enforcement Today is happy to report that the officer injured in the original altercation is going to be fine, as he suffered non-life threatening injuries. He was treated and release form the hospital.
Guzman was subsequently charged with:
2 counts of Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer
2 counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer
1 count of Robbery
1 count of Fleeing a Pursuing Officer
1 count of Resisting an Executive Officer
Guzman is now being held on a $2.3 million bond is still awaiting his court date.
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