Florida deputy Jesse Hernandez screamed “shots fired,” and frantically fired his gun after an acorn fell onto the roof of his squad car, making him jump.
Florida deputy Jesse Hernandez screamed “shots fired,” and frantically fired his gun after an acorn fell onto the roof of his squad car, making him jump.
Jesus, I legitimately thought this was satire but it seems that it isn't. This is unreal, even for American police.
From the other (linked) article:
[Okaloosa County Sheriff] Aden said the [Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office] must work to protect both officers and anyone accused of a crime. [...] “Though his actions were ultimately not warranted, we do believe he felt his life was in immediate peril and his response was based off the totality of circumstances surrounding this fear. Just as we have an obligation to protect our officers so they can go home safely to their families, law enforcement has the same obligation to any citizen being investigated for a crime.”
I don’t think anyone questions that “he felt his life was in peril”. The question is why a temperamental moron that can’t control his feelings long enough to think before unloading a lethal weapon at his own car should be entrusted to “serve and protect” the public.
Imagine how different the response would be if this was a different firearm-carrying profession that had done this, or a regular citizen with a permit to carry. It's disgusting how much police get away with just because they're police.