A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer was dismissed after unintentionally discharging a firearm and injuring a driver during a traffic stop, as reported by CBS News.
An internal affairs investigation found that Officer Shaun Lowry initiated the stop after observing the driver run a red light. The driver, who was described as cooperative, informed Lowry that he was legally carrying a firearm.
As the driver followed instructions to step out of the vehicle, Officer Mindy Cardwell, who was assisting Lowry, attempted to remove the weapon—a Glock .45 semi-automatic pistol—from the man’s waistband holster. Body camera footage revealed that while doing so with her non-dominant hand, Cardwell inadvertently pressed the trigger, causing the firearm to discharge and strike the driver in the right leg.
Listen to “This Could Get You KILLED on a Traffic Stop!” on Spreaker.According to the investigation, the driver reported that Cardwell appeared to “jerk” the firearm multiple times, which may have contributed to the accidental discharge. Cardwell later explained that the holster was particularly tight, making the weapon difficult to remove.
Body camera footage released by the department captured the moments after the incident, showing officers Lowry and Austin Weippert expressing shock, calling for medical assistance, and applying first aid, including a tourniquet to the driver’s leg. Cardwell also participated in the first aid efforts. The driver was taken to a hospital in stable condition, though he later reported that the injury had affected his ability to operate heavy equipment at work.
The internal investigation ultimately charged Cardwell with incompetence, resulting in her termination.
Following the incident, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office implemented a new policy barring officers from removing firearms from lawfully armed individuals during traffic stops, according to the internal report.
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