On Dec. 13, 2024, a Jacksonville, Florida, deputy stopped a driver for running a red light. The driver was cordial and cooperative with the deputy. During initial questioning, the driver advised the officer that he was carrying a gun.
Florida law has allowed permitless carry of a pistol since 2023, provided that a person would pass the background check if one was given.
As backup officers arrived on scene, the deputy informed the driver that he was going to have him exit the vehicle, secure the driver’s weapon for safety and then continue with his investigation. Watch the video of the incident below and read the Internal Affairs report, then consider the following points.
Gun removal goes wrong: The struggle with the holster
When the driver exited, he was instructed to place his hands on the vehicle. The pistol was located on the driver’s right side in a holster.
A second officer made numerous attempts to remove the holstered gun from the driver’s belt using both hands. Then she attempted to draw the weapon out of the holster with her left hand. The video shows that a great deal of force was required before the pistol finally came free of the holster and discharged.
The single .45 caliber bullet that struck the driver in the right leg was found later lying on the ground next to the vehicle. Medical aid was immediately called for and the officers on scene administered first aid, that included the use of a tourniquet, until the ambulance arrived.
Why have the driver exit?
During their interaction, the deputy saw that the cover over the steering column was missing and that the wires were exposed. The deputy knew that stolen vehicles frequently sustain this type of damage during vehicle thefts to start the vehicle. Based on that reasonable suspicion, he decided to disarm the driver and complete his investigation to determine if the vehicle was stolen.
Worry about the gun, not the holster
When you disarm an armed subject, be aware that holsters can cause issues as shown in this video. Criminals don’t usually use holsters. Lawfully armed citizens will. The type of holster that they use will determine if you can remove the holster and gun together. If the holster has loops that would require unthreading the belt, or in this case, a holster that doesn’t want to come loose, consider just removing the gun.
In this case, the driver’s belt was tightly secured around his waist to keep the gun in place. At one point during the attempted disarm, he volunteered to loosen his belt to allow the removal of the holster and gun.
Trigger discipline breakdown and finger placement
In this situation, it would appear that a great deal of force was being used to try to free the gun from the holster. That would require a tightening of the gripping hand. When the gun unexpectedly came free, the hand continued its closing action, and the fingers that may have been in contact with the holster were then free to continue to close, resulting in two fingers coming inside the trigger guard and at least one contacting the trigger, discharging the weapon.
When reaching into the area between the gun and the suspect’s shirt, with the weapon held down so tightly, a proper index of the trigger finger may be difficult. In this case, it would appear that a proper index wasn’t achieved.
Grip technique for disarming a subject
When you draw your weapon, the first step is to establish a good firing grip. That includes a proper indexing of your trigger finger in preparation of firing the pistol. When removing a firearm from someone you have detained, you are taking it into custody. That seizure should be made as safe as possible.
Consider gripping the weapon with all four fingers on the grip. That way, if resistance is felt or the subject makes an unexpected action, you reduce the likelihood of accidentally discharging the weapon due to your hand clenching.
Dominant hand use matters
Why? Your dominant hand can attain a good grip with a proper trigger finger index if you are right-handed in this situation. Have you ever drawn a gun out of a holster with your non-dominant hand in a proper firing grip? Your dominant hand has far more practice attaining a proper grip, trigger finger indexed, than your non-dominant hand. Rely on that training and practice to maintain a safe grip rather than an unpracticed action that can have disastrous consequences.
Consequences and closing lessons
As a result of the deputy’s actions, she was fired for incompetence, which she admitted to during the investigation. The driver and his attorney have filed a civil lawsuit against the department.
By taking into consideration those factors that contributed to this incident and training to avoid those factors, we can reduce the likelihood of a repeat of this terrible situation.
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