Florida Deputy Tases Suspect Who Refuses to Cooperate

A disturbance inside a Florida Walmart quickly turned into a tense police encounter when deputies found a woman carrying a knife. Bodycam footage shows the deputy repeatedly ordering her to drop the weapon before eventually deploying his Taser. The incident occurred on March 30, 2022, in Summerfield, Florida.

DEPUTIES RESPOND TO A WALMART DISTURBANCE

Marion County deputies were called to a Walmart on South U.S. Highway 441 after reports that a woman was threatening customers and employees.

The woman was identified as Brandy McGowan. According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office account, she had initially entered the store carrying a brick and was allegedly threatening people. She later took a pocketknife from a store display and opened its packaging with scissors.

WHEN DEPUTY CHRISTOPHER WITTE ARRIVED, MCGOWAN WAS STILL HOLDING THE KNIFE.

REPEATED ORDERS TO DROP THE KNIFE

Bodycam footage shows McGowan standing in the store aisle while Deputy Witte repeatedly orders her to put the knife down.

Despite the commands, she did not immediately comply. The deputy continued speaking to her while keeping his weapon trained in her direction. THE TENSION ROSE AS THE SUSPECT CONTINUED HOLDING THE KNIFE.

Detective Pamela Thomas was also present as deputies worked to control the situation.

THE DEPUTY DEPLOYS HIS TASER

After McGowan continued ignoring the commands, Witte switched from his firearm to his Taser and deployed it.

The Taser made contact, causing McGowan to fall against a nearby display. THE DEPLOYMENT GAVE DEPUTIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE THE KNIFE AND PLACE HER IN HANDCUFFS.

The bodycam footage captures the moment the confrontation suddenly shifts from a tense standoff to an arrest.

ARREST AND MEDICAL EVALUATION

After McGowan was restrained, deputies learned that she had reportedly ingested approximately four grams of methamphetamine earlier that day, according to authorities.

She was taken to a hospital for evaluation before being transported to the Marion County Jail. She was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

WHAT BEGAN AS A DISTURBANCE INSIDE A WALMART ENDED WITH A TASER DEPLOYMENT AND AN ARREST.