Jason Arrington Lawsuit, Florida Man Shot With His Own Gun During Traffic Stop—Officer Fired, Settlement Talks Underway
What the Jason Arrington Lawsuit Is About
Jason Arrington, a 39-year-old Jacksonville crane operator, is pursuing a civil rights lawsuit against the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) after Officer Mindy Cardwell accidentally shot him with his own legally owned firearm during a December 13, 2024 traffic stop. The lawsuit alleges violations of Arrington’s constitutional rights and seeks compensation for permanent injuries, lost earning capacity, and emotional distress.
As of May 2025, settlement negotiations are underway between Arrington’s legal team at Witherspoon Law Group and the City of Jacksonville. If no settlement is reached, Attorney Kay Harper Williams confirmed they will file a federal lawsuit.
The bullet went through Arrington’s upper thigh and exited near his kneecap, leaving him with permanent physical impairments. He now walks with a cane and can no longer perform essential duties of his crane operator job, including climbing equipment and unloading trains.
Officer Cardwell was terminated from JSO in January 2025 after an internal affairs investigation sustained a charge of “gross incompetence.” She will not face criminal charges.
The Traffic Stop That Changed Everything
On December 13, 2024, at approximately 5:10 p.m., Arrington was pulled over near 27th Street and Main Street in Jacksonville’s Brentwood neighborhood for allegedly running a red light.
Arrington did everything right. He immediately disclosed to Officer Shaun Lowry that he was legally carrying a Glock .45 semiautomatic pistol in a holster inside his waistband. Lowry thanked him for his honesty and called for backup.
Two additional officers arrived: Officer A. Weippert and Officer Mindy Cardwell. Body camera footage shows Lowry telling the other officers, “He’s very compliant.”
Arrington was instructed to exit his vehicle so officers could remove the firearm for the duration of the traffic stop. He complied, placing his hands on top of his SUV.
Then everything went wrong.
The Moment the Gun Discharged
Officer Cardwell attempted to remove Arrington’s holstered firearm from his waistband. The holster was secured tightly.
According to Arrington’s account: “She tugged on the gun the first time, then she tugged again. And that’s when I told her, ‘Hey, just let me unloosen my belt because it’s tight.’ And I guess, I don’t know, she might have got nervous or whatever, but she pulled harder two more times, and that’s when the gun discharged.”
In her internal affairs interview on January 8, 2025, Cardwell described what happened: “I tried to pull the metal clip, holster, and gun from his waistband. It was not coming out. I put my hand on the handle of the gun to get leverage, and the gun went off.”
Cardwell later admitted: “I think I set myself up for failure by transitioning from my dominant hand to my not dominant hand.”
The bullet struck Arrington in his upper thigh and exited near his kneecap. He remained compliant even after being shot, keeping his hands on the vehicle because “I didn’t want no one else thinking it was me.”
Arrington’s Permanent Injuries
The shooting left Arrington with lasting physical damage that has destroyed his career as a crane operator.
Physical Impairments:
- Permanent nerve and tissue damage to his right leg
- Walks with a cane
- Ongoing chronic pain
- Unable to climb equipment, trains, or operate forklifts
- Cannot perform essential job duties
Financial Impact:
- Lost income from inability to work
- Lost future earning capacity
- Ongoing medical expenses
- Physical therapy costs
Emotional Trauma:
- Requires mental health treatment
- Emotional distress and PTSD symptoms
- Changed perception of law enforcement
- “It kind of messed me up a little bit. I look at them a lot different,” Arrington said
Arrington was 39 years old at the time of the shooting—in the prime of his working years. The permanent damage to his leg has ended his ability to perform physically demanding work.
What Happened to Officer Cardwell
JSO’s internal affairs investigation concluded that Officer Cardwell was “grossly incompetent” in her handling of the traffic stop.
She was terminated from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in January 2025.
State prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges against Cardwell.
In her internal affairs interview, Cardwell admitted she wasn’t initially sure how the gun discharged but later acknowledged her own mistakes played a role.
Following the incident, JSO sent internal memos to all officers reminding them that legally carrying a concealed firearm does not make someone a threat and that officers should not remove firearms from lawful carriers “without articulable suspicion that the detained person presents a threat to the safety of citizens or officers.”
Settlement Negotiations and Federal Lawsuit
As of May 2025, Arrington’s attorney confirmed that settlement talks are ongoing with the City of Jacksonville.
Attorney Kay Harper Williams stated: “We have not yet filed a lawsuit. If the city does not agree to a settlement, her next step is filing a federal lawsuit.”
Williams has not specified a dollar amount but confirmed they will seek compensation for:
- All permanent injuries
- Recovery and medical expenses
- Lost future earning capacity
- Emotional distress and mental health treatment
- Civil rights violations
The legal team argues Arrington’s Fourth Amendment rights were violated through an unreasonable seizure of his property (the firearm) and excessive force resulting in his shooting.
The Body Camera Footage Battle
Despite multiple requests from Arrington’s legal team and media outlets, JSO initially refused to release body camera footage of the incident.
Williams criticized the delay: “There is no reason the body cam should not be released both to the victim of this situation and his counsel, and to the general public. So, we are asking JSO, the City of Jacksonville, to release the body cam footage.”
JSO eventually released the body camera footage publicly in January 2025 after completing their internal investigation. The footage confirmed Arrington’s account of events and showed officers rendering immediate first aid with a tourniquet and Israeli compression bandage.
The case has drawn national attention, recently featured on True Crime News YouTube channel, which has over 5 million subscribers.
What the Law Says About Traffic Stop Gun Removals
Following the Arrington shooting, JSO issued updated policy memos to all officers clarifying when firearms can be removed from lawful carriers during traffic stops.
The key legal standard: Officers should not seize a detained person’s gun or remove it from a holster without “articulable suspicion” that the person presents a threat.
The memo specifically states:
- The mere fact that a person is carrying a concealed firearm does not automatically mean they pose a threat
- The burden of proving an individual is not eligible to carry falls on the investigating officer
- It is not an automatic presumption
Florida is a shall-issue state for concealed carry permits. Lawful gun owners have the right to carry firearms without being treated as threats during routine traffic stops.
Why This Case Matters for Gun Owners
Arrington’s case has become a rallying point for Second Amendment advocates and gun rights organizations.
The Second Amendment Foundation published analysis of the case, calling it “one of the dumbest things a cop has done in quite a while.”
Their statement emphasized: “Former officer Cardwell shot an upstanding citizen with his own handgun for no reason. Carrying a concealed firearm, which the 39-year-old did lawfully, is certainly not a crime.”
Arrington’s attorney Kay Harper Williams framed the case this way: “Gun owners in this state should be able to carry their firearms, without the fear of an officer pulling them over on the side of the road, them voluntarily disclosing they’re carrying a firearm, then being shot with their own weapon.”
The case raises critical questions about police training on firearms handling and the rights of lawful gun owners during traffic stops.
Timeline of Events
December 13, 2024: Arrington shot during traffic stop on Main Street near 27th Street
December 27, 2024: Arrington holds news conference with attorney announcing lawsuit plans
January 8, 2025: Officer Cardwell’s internal affairs interview conducted
January 2025: JSO releases body camera footage; Cardwell terminated for gross incompetence
January 24-25, 2025: Case featured on TMZ; Arrington confirms career-ending injuries
May 15-16, 2025: Settlement negotiations confirmed underway; federal lawsuit preparation continues
Current Status: Settlement talks ongoing; lawsuit not yet filed but imminent if no agreement reached
Related Civil Rights Cases
Police accountability litigation: Bree Smith Lawsuit Against NewsChannel 5
Employment law precedents: Jon Gruden Lawsuit Against NFL
Understanding civil rights claims: What is a RICO Lawsuit
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Jason Arrington filed his lawsuit yet?
As of May 2025, the lawsuit has not been formally filed. Settlement negotiations are underway with the City of Jacksonville. If no agreement is reached, a federal lawsuit will be filed.
Will Jason Arrington receive compensation?
That depends on settlement negotiations or, if negotiations fail, the outcome of a federal lawsuit. His attorney confirmed they’re seeking compensation for permanent injuries, lost earning capacity, and civil rights violations.
What happened to the officer who shot him?
Officer Mindy Cardwell was terminated from JSO in January 2025 after an internal affairs investigation found her grossly incompetent. She will not face criminal charges.
Was Arrington charged with anything?
No. He legally owned the firearm and had a valid concealed carry permit. His traffic citation for running a red light was “voided by agency” according to court records.
Can Arrington still work as a crane operator?
No. The permanent damage to his leg prevents him from climbing equipment, getting on trains, and performing other essential duties required for his job.
Is there body camera footage?
Yes. JSO released the body camera footage publicly in January 2025 after completing their internal investigation.
This article provides general information about the Jason Arrington lawsuit and should not be considered legal advice. Case developments are ongoing.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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