Video shows Ohio deputy shoot news photographer after mistaking camera for gun

By Cliff Pinckard
Advance Ohio Media

NEW CARLISLE, Ohio — A body cam video released Wednesday shows a Clark County deputy shoot a newspaper photographer after mistaking his camera and tripod for a gun, and the deputy can be heard repeatedly apologizing and assuring the man he'll be OK.

"Stay strong with me brother, I love you," Deputy Jake Shaw tells New Carlisle News photographer Andy Grimm after calling for paramedics. "I'm sorry, brother. Listen, Andy ... I'm sorry, dude ... you pulled (the camera and tripod) out like a gun, dude. ... Dude, I thought that was a freakin' gun, Andy." 

Grimm is understanding with Shaw and actually takes responsibility for the shooting, telling him, "It's all right, dude ... it's my fault. I got ya." He also tells the deputy that he waved at him and had flashed the lights of his Jeep.

The shooting occurred Monday night. Grimm had gone out to try and get photos of lightning during a thunderstorm. Shaw was in the middle of a traffic stop and Grimm stopped nearby to take photos.

Without warning, Shaw fired two shots at Grimm, one grazing Grimm's left arm but the other hitting him in the side, WLWT Channel 5 reports.

Grimm was taken to a hospital for surgery and is expected to fully recover.

Meanwhile, Shaw has been placed on administrative leave, and the shooting is being investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Shaw, 25, has been with the Clark County Sheriff's Department since 2012, reports say. He became a full-time deputy in 2015.

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