A deputy from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, identified as Jesse Hernandez, has resigned following an internal investigation into an officer-involved shooting incident that took place on November 12 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
The bizarre incident began when Hernandez and his colleague, Sgt. Beth Roberts, discharged several rounds into a patrol car, mistakenly believing they were under fire after an acorn fell onto the vehicle, simulating the sound of a suppressed gunshot, the Northwest Florida Daily reported.
The incident unfolded when deputies were responding to a disturbance involving a suspect, Marquis Jackson, 22, who was later detained and placed inside the patrol car.
Miraculously, the suspect, secured inside the car, was unharmed despite the barrage of bullets. No weapon found in his possession. The only casualty of this incident? The acorn and the deputy’s career.
Sheriff Eric Aden, in a statement, confirmed Hernandez’s resignation and noted that although he was found to have violated policy, neither deputy faced criminal charges.
Sgt. Roberts, who joined in the impromptu shootout, was cleared of any wrongdoing, as she was acting in defense of her partner.
“The internal investigation by Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards ultimately determined his use of force during a call on November 12th was not objectively reasonable. A policy violation regarding excessive use of control to resistance was sustained,” according to Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Hellbound and Down 