A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer, Mindy Cardwell, has been dismissed following an incident where she accidentally discharged a citizen’s firearm during a routine traffic stop. On December 13, 2024, Officer Shaun Lowry pulled over Jason Arrington for allegedly running a red light. During the stop, which occurred around 5:10 p.m., Arrington disclosed he was carrying a legal firearm.
Arrington complied with the officers’ instructions, stepping out of his vehicle to allow for the removal of his weapon. Officer Cardwell attempted to take the Glock .45 semi-automatic pistol from Arrington’s waistband. According to reports, Cardwell applied pressure to the trigger, causing the gun to fire, hitting Arrington in his right leg.
The incident was captured on body camera footage from all involved officers. After the accidental discharge, Lowry was heard exclaiming in shock, while Officer Austin Weippert immediately assisted Arrington, applying a tourniquet to control the bleeding. Arrington was then rushed to a hospital in stable condition.
Following the event, Arrington has expressed that his injury has significantly impacted his work, where he operates heavy machinery like cranes and forklifts. An internal investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office concluded with Cardwell being charged with incompetence, leading to her termination.
Cardwell was on an off-duty assignment under the Group Violence Intervention initiative at the time of the incident, which aims to reduce crime through community engagement. The aftermath of this event prompted the Sheriff’s Office to revise its policy, now advising officers against seizing firearms from lawfully armed individuals unless there’s a clear safety concern.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has made body camera videos from the incident available on their official Facebook page, advising viewers of the graphic content.
