Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Florida Officer Faces Termination for Accidentally Shooting Man with His Own Gun

The Internal Affairs report says that while attempting to remove the pistol, the officer put two fingers in the trigger guard, putting pressure on the Glock’s trigger and causing it to fire.

by Staff
January 22, 2025
Florida Officer Faces Termination for Accidentally Shooting Man with His Own Gun

Jacksonville Police Officer Mindy Cardwell reaches for the pistol carried by Jason Arrington. Trying to take the pistol from the holster led to an accidental discharge that wounded Arrington.

Credit:

Screen Shot from Jacksonville SO Video

2 min to read



The Jacksonville (Florida) Sheriff’s Office has started the process to terminate a police officer over the accidental shooting of a man at a December traffic stop.

Ad Loading...

An internal investigation has charged Officer Mindy Cardwell with “gross incompetence” over the accidental discharge that wounded Jason Arrington when she removed a Glock .45 pistol from his holster. Arrington was legally carrying the pistol under Florida law.

The Dec. 13 incident began when Officer Shaun Lowry stopped Arrington for running a red light, according to body-worn camera video released by Jacksonville SO on Jan. 21, 2025.

Arrington told Officer Lowry that he was armed as required under Florida law.

He was asked to step out of the vehicle because he was carrying.

Officer Austin Weippert and Officer Cardwell handled Arrington after he stepped out of the vehicle.

Ad Loading...

The video shows Officer Weippert standing with Arrington—watching the man’s hands, according to his statement—while Officer Cardwell removed the pistol from Arrington’s inside-the-waistband holster. The Internal Affairs report says that while attempting to remove the pistol, Officer Cardwell put two fingers in the trigger guard, putting pressure on the Glock’s trigger and causing it to fire.

Image from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs report shows officer's finger inside the trigger guard before the accidental discharge.

Credit:

Jacksonville SO



Arrington was hit in the upper thigh and the bullet exited his leg on the interior of his knee.

Officer Weippert and Officer Cardwell provided first aid to Arrington using a tourniquet and compression bandages. Officer Lowry called for an ambulance and Arrington was transported to a local hospital, the video shows.


Officer Cardwell told Internal Affairs: "I have never been trained to remove a firearm from another person's holster."

More Patrol

Folds of Honor logo across the red portion of flag material.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders

The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.

Read More →
Closeup of hands reaching to pick up a ballistic helmet and a Team Wendy logo in a white box top center in the image.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Team Wendy Now on GovX: Faster Verification and Discount Access for Eligible Professionals

With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.

Read More →
backgroudn image of desert with inset 5.11 logo and images of pant and boot.
PatrolJanuary 28, 2026

5.11 Debuts 2026 Footwear & Apparel at SHOT Show

5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Three tactical backpacks set against a desert background with an inset logo for 5.11.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

5.11 Debuts New Load-Bearing Gear at SHOT Show

5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →
Blue background with Streamlight logo at top and inset images of one handgun light, two rifle lights, and one handheld light.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

Streamlight Launches the Rechargeable TLR-3X & Other Lights at SHOT Show

Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →
dark ballistic sunglasses against a blue smokey background
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

EOTech & Fast Metal Introduce the EOTech Halen Ballistic Spectacle System

Built on the proven Halen platform, the new EOTech x Fast Metal Halen Ballistic Spectacle System is the only aluminum frame listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black background, outline of Florida, headline 2 Officers Shot
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJanuary 14, 2026

2 Florida Officers Shot After Shots-Fired Call

Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.

Read More →
Blue-tinted background photo of hand hanging up an office phone and headline Richmond Heights PD: Harassment and Threats Will Be Addressed Accordingly
PatrolJanuary 14, 2026

Mistaken Identity: Ohio Police Department Harassed After ICE OIS

An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.

Read More →
Black background with POLICE logo, police light bar, and headline Top 10 Videos of 2025.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJanuary 7, 2026

Top 10 POLICE Videos of 2025

What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue tinted background of a police dispatcher with headline Flock Safety + Coreforce Integation
TechnologyJanuary 7, 2026

Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement

A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.

Read More →