this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2024
1375 points (99.1% liked)

News

23387 readers
3398 users here now

Welcome to the News community!

Rules:

1. Be civil


Attack the argument, not the person. No racism/sexism/bigotry. Good faith argumentation only. This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban. Do not respond to rule-breaking content; report it and move on.


2. All posts should contain a source (url) that is as reliable and unbiased as possible and must only contain one link.


Obvious right or left wing sources will be removed at the mods discretion. We have an actively updated blocklist, which you can see here: https://lemmy.world/post/2246130 if you feel like any website is missing, contact the mods. Supporting links can be added in comments or posted seperately but not to the post body.


3. No bots, spam or self-promotion.


Only approved bots, which follow the guidelines for bots set by the instance, are allowed.


4. Post titles should be the same as the article used as source.


Posts which titles don’t match the source won’t be removed, but the autoMod will notify you, and if your title misrepresents the original article, the post will be deleted. If the site changed their headline, the bot might still contact you, just ignore it, we won’t delete your post.


5. Only recent news is allowed.


Posts must be news from the most recent 30 days.


6. All posts must be news articles.


No opinion pieces, Listicles, editorials or celebrity gossip is allowed. All posts will be judged on a case-by-case basis.


7. No duplicate posts.


If a source you used was already posted by someone else, the autoMod will leave a message. Please remove your post if the autoMod is correct. If the post that matches your post is very old, we refer you to rule 5.


8. Misinformation is prohibited.


Misinformation / propaganda is strictly prohibited. Any comment or post containing or linking to misinformation will be removed. If you feel that your post has been removed in error, credible sources must be provided.


9. No link shorteners.


The auto mod will contact you if a link shortener is detected, please delete your post if they are right.


10. Don't copy entire article in your post body


For copyright reasons, you are not allowed to copy an entire article into your post body. This is an instance wide rule, that is strictly enforced in this community.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 528 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (4 children)

Headline is kind of funny, but I wanted to know what he shot at

In body cam footage shared across social media, the officer was seen jumping to the ground and shouted “shots fired” after the acorn strikes the roof of his car. He then turned and emptied every bullet from his gun, each aimed squarely at his squad car.

Funny again...

While Hernandez fired on the car, Marquis Jackson, who was accused of stealing his girlfriend’s car, was in the back of the police cruiser. Officers had searched, handcuffed and loaded the accused into the back of the police car and, despite being cuffed, it was Jackson that the officer thought was shooting at him.

Nope, he was trying to kill someone handcuffed in the back of his squad car and had already been searched for weapons.

Cop should at least be facing reckless endangerment, if not attempted murder.

[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 281 points 9 months ago (4 children)

He also yelled "I'm hit" while unloading on his own vehicle.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 278 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Same as when they think they're doing on fentanyl...

After hearing the sound of the acorn, the deputy reported that he also felt a “tingliness” all along the side of his body. He then said his “legs just give out” and he fell to the ground, assuming that he had been seriously injured by something.

Because of this, the video also showed Hernandez complaining about feeling “weird” and shouting to his colleague that he’s been hit. It’s all very dramatic.

Cops are constantly terrified because of their training, so they panic and mistake a panic attack for something else.

Being a cop sucks so much (because of their own leadership and culture) that good qualified people do t want to be a cop. So we end up with these fragile snowflakes that shouldn't be allowed to carry at all. Let alone be a cop

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 24 points 9 months ago

"It hit my vest" and "I feel weird". Them be signs that his fat ass has coronary artery disease. Fucking Okaloosa County. Good riddance. Don't miss it.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Beldarofremulak@lemmy.world 60 points 9 months ago (9 children)

I deal with PTSD vets every day so I understand the snap buuuuut.... No one else gets to get away with a slap on the wrist because of their mental illness so fuckem

[–] FaceDeer@kbin.social 58 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Yeah. The "having PTSD" part isn't what should be punished, it's the "and yet still carrying a gun while putting yourself in a position to have your PTSD triggered like this" part that's egregious.

load more comments (3 replies)
load more comments (8 replies)
[–] Telodzrum@lemmy.world 38 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Cop should at least be facing reckless endangerment, if not attempted murder.

The review board found his conduct was not reasonable; so, it'll be up to the prosecutor (which I'm sure in FL is an office eager to go after cops). The other officer, who began shooting after the officer wearing the bodycam in the OP began shooting, was found to have acted reasonably.

Essentially, you can't think an acorn is a bullet and get away with shooting at a detained and secured civilian. But, if another officer on scene thinks, even unreasonably so, that an acorn is a bullet and starts shooting at a detained and secured civilian, you can too. If this doesn't make a lot of sense to you, take that as reassurance that your critical thinking remains, at least partially, intact.

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] ultranaut@lemmy.world 179 points 9 months ago (12 children)

If a random loud bang from an acorn falling nearby is enough to get someone to behave like this, they really should not be walking around with a gun. This is completely insane and unhinged behavior.

[–] originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 67 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

theres no reason for most officers to be lethally armed their entire shift.

they are trained the exact opposite; be afraid of everything and empty the clip. ask questions later.

this cop behaved as he was trained

[–] admiralteal@kbin.social 26 points 9 months ago (3 children)

The good news is, the guy did resign. So I guess he agrees.

[–] koraro@lemmy.world 27 points 9 months ago

Or he resigned to just join a police force one county over.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (10 replies)
[–] gedaliyah@lemmy.world 148 points 9 months ago (5 children)

And yet the most surprising thing about the story is that the bodycam footage was released, smh

[–] Crowfiend@lemmy.world 67 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Likely to protect the cop/department too, since he shot at his own car that already had a disarmed, detained suspect inside. He very nearly killed someone that was already a non-threat. If the body cam footage got out it might make people think their cops are negligent or improperly trained! /ghasp

[–] just_change_it@lemmy.world 25 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It's like a business. If the liability rests with their officer and they are afraid of a lawsuit causing significant political blowback they are going to take action against the officer to minimize their liability. Hearing about an officer doing something like this and then leaving the force means there is nothing left for them to take action for.

If he didn't resign, perhaps it would be slightly harder for the chief a town over to hire the guy, but since he resigned he may have minimal marks on his record.

I'd bet a thousand bucks this guy gets another job as a cop within 1yr though.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
[–] Jakdracula@lemmy.world 114 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Obtaining a barber license means that you have completed a minimum of 1,250 hours of instruction in barbering education within a period of at least 9 months or completed 1,250 hours of training. It takes 1,250 to 2,000 hours to be a cosmologist. Police in Germany get 2.5 years of training, and in Finland, police education takes three years to complete. Police in the USA get 750 hours.

[–] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 31 points 9 months ago (2 children)

USA intentionally dumbs down its people.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)
[–] MNByChoice@midwest.social 95 points 9 months ago (12 children)

Everyone, stop what you are doing and check your local police department for this guy.

During the course of the investigation into the shooting, deputy Herandez resigned from the force.

He is out there somewhere, getting scared and shooting at his own car.

load more comments (12 replies)
[–] Syrc@lemmy.world 91 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (6 children)

I’m sorry, this is fucked up and I shouldn’t be laughing, but you really can’t make this shit up

What’s more, in his body cam footage you can clearly see the acorn fall into frame and strike the roof of his car. When asked if this was the sound he heard, Hernandez had this to tell investigators:

“I’m not gonna say no, because I mean that’s, but what I, [10 second pause in speaking] what I heard [3 second pause in speaking] sounded almost like [12 second pause in speaking] what I heard sounded what I think would be louder than an acorn hitting the roof of the car, but there’s obviously an acorn hitting the roof of the car.”

load more comments (6 replies)
[–] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 80 points 9 months ago (2 children)
[–] HerbalGamer@sh.itjust.works 90 points 9 months ago (13 children)

Top comment really nails it:

This is unironically the most embarrassing video I have seen in my entire life. I am not exaggerating at all. I would kill myself if there were footage of me acting like this. Dude gets scared by an acorn, does a Max-Payne-backwards-dive, unloads 20 roads into his own car (luckily not murdering the unarmed guy in the back of it), does some horrid Arnold-Schwarzenegger impression while crawling over the floor bawling his eyes out, and then forces an armed stand-off with literally no one. Actually absolutely insane, the most unhinged behaviour I have ever had the pleasure to witness.

load more comments (13 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] TheNitroZeus@lemmy.world 76 points 9 months ago (1 children)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 64 points 9 months ago (11 children)

Headlines like this are often a stretch, if not outright BS. Read the story. The headline does not begin to do justice as to how fucked up this was.

load more comments (11 replies)
[–] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 61 points 9 months ago

This story pairs nicely with the other one that's currently trending.

Florida Legislator Files Bill That Would Keep Killer Cops From Being Named And Shamed

This dipshit is what they want to protect so he can just go work in another district and kill someone else.

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 56 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Police aren't brave, they 're the biggest cowards in societies, and we let them kill without consequence... This should frighten you

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] ExLisper@linux.community 55 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Can we please stop pretending Twitter is a video hosting platform? It's not, the links never work. When you only include Twitter video in the article it's like not including the video at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVZbZyelg-c

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] LaFinlandia@sopuli.xyz 53 points 9 months ago (2 children)

The only thing more dangerous than a Florida man is a Florida cop.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Karyoplasma@discuss.tchncs.de 52 points 9 months ago

What a very composed and calm individual that is perfectly suited for a job as a public servant.

[–] trackcharlie@lemmynsfw.com 49 points 9 months ago (32 children)

Unpopular opinion: Cop pay and training is inadequate. If you want professional cops, you need to hire professional people and train them professionally. The only people that apply to become officers are morons and the power hungry. People with integrity don't apply because the money is shit.

Any job that trades money for fraternity is a job that's garbage. And boy oh boy are cop houses frats.

[–] Facebones@reddthat.com 53 points 9 months ago (4 children)

I'm a combat veteran and the fact that cops aren't held to half the standards I was drives me nuts.

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 26 points 9 months ago

they dont want professional cops.

They want hyper aggressive bullies that have no problem with getting down and dirty with the corruption.

Profesionals would be a threat to cops. Which is why they try so hard not to hire anyone that would actually be qualified for such work.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.world 24 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Cops in my area get paid about 70-100K USD yearly, but it's a high cost of living area. Sergeants and above, though, make bank. We're taking $120K and above. They're just as shitty as cops in the sticks. It's anecdotal, but I wonder if fixing income alone has little effect.

load more comments (5 replies)
load more comments (29 replies)
[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 48 points 9 months ago (10 children)

This is what happens if way undertrained people are hired for police work. People who think with their guns.

load more comments (10 replies)
[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 48 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Was the dude they had the in the back of the car hit? They just casually mention they had a guy in the back of the car and that's who they were shooting at but then just never bring him up again.

[–] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 28 points 9 months ago (6 children)
[–] DaleGribble88@programming.dev 28 points 9 months ago (5 children)

That is incredibly fortunate and I am happy they are unhurt. However, that isn't really a better situation imo. That means that the cop fired multiple shots and never managed to hit their target. That puts them in danger if they ever are in a fire fight, and dangerous for everyone nearby who isn't who they are trying to shoot.

load more comments (5 replies)
load more comments (5 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
[–] Fiona@feddit.de 47 points 9 months ago (6 children)

If US police is this incompetent, the only real solution is to take their guns away. It works in the UK.

And yes, there are more guns in general in the US, but that means that the police needs to be BETTER at deescalation than in the UK, not worse.

(Also: Obviously there are exceptions for specialized units in the UK, and the same would have to happen in the US, but your standard run-of-the-mill cop really doesn’t need more than pepper-spray and a stick.)

[–] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 34 points 9 months ago (6 children)

How about we also give them actual training? You know, basic 4 year training like in Europe, to become basic police officer, additional training to become more, and not the "6 months and here is your gun" as they do in the US?

load more comments (6 replies)
load more comments (5 replies)
[–] CultHero@lemmy.world 47 points 9 months ago (16 children)

I am loathe to use the word retarded... but I just have no other words to describe this.

load more comments (16 replies)
[–] Alph4d0g@discuss.tchncs.de 46 points 9 months ago (2 children)

We as a society have really dropped the ball on the low IQ population among us. We need more options that don't include giving them guns. We can give them badges if they want - and whatever quasi military rank they prefer without giving them the means to kill us.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Dra@lemmy.zip 44 points 9 months ago (12 children)
[–] Ultraviolet@lemmy.world 25 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Cops are trained to say that before shooting as a psychological trick to manipulate witnesses. Your brain doesn't perfectly record the order of events in a situation like that, so to make sense of things you're likely to misremember one or more of the gunshots being before the "I'm hit" rather than correctly remember that the cop shot first.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (11 replies)
[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 43 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Florida Man has nothing on Florida Squirrel. This brave officer barely escaped a brazen assassination attempt by the infamous terrorists, Squirrels Anonymous!

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] zerog_bandit@lemmy.world 42 points 9 months ago (1 children)

That cop was way to squirrelly for the job.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] Cornpop@lemmy.world 42 points 9 months ago (2 children)

If you’re that scared you have no business being a cop. What a fucking idiot thinks he got shot too.

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 31 points 9 months ago (4 children)

This is what happens when you spend your life fantasizing about how you're a hero under constant attack.

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
[–] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 40 points 9 months ago (2 children)

empties one full magazine on the car, not a single hit Would you like to enlist in the imperial army?

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] octopus_ink@lemmy.ml 38 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Every story such as this contains at least one police lie. Even this one.

In his statement, Sheriff Aden said that the department was “limited in further response due to pending litigation.” Motherboard could not find court records related to the incident online and reached out to the Okaloosa County Courthouse, which confirmed it did not have any recent records related to either party. Motherboard reached out to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office for clarification but has not received a response.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] octopus_ink@lemmy.ml 38 points 9 months ago

Reminder that Uvalde is only the most famous example of cops being cowards.

[–] HelixDab2@lemm.ee 24 points 9 months ago (6 children)

From other accounts, he had arrested a suspect, handcuffed and searched them, and put them in the back of the squad car, and apparently thought that the suspect--the one they'd searched, cuffed, and locked in the car--was shooting at him. So, in his mind, he was returning fire.

I gotta ask - did he hit the guy in the car? Did he even his his car? Where did the bullets all end up? When you start shooting in public, you're supposed to be responsible for each on of those pieces of lead.

load more comments (6 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›