JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 33-year-old man was killed during a traffic stop Monday night by an officer after police say that he fought back against three tasings and charged toward the officer.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office identified the man Tuesday during a news conference as Leonardo Little.
Patrol Officer Cecil Grant, who has been with JSO for 1 year, attempted a traffic stop after spotting expired tags on a Buick on Interstate 295. Grant was able to get the vehicle to pull over on 103rd Street, according to JSO Chief Tom Hackney.
Hackney said Little gave the officer several different names and after investigating the names, 30 minutes later, Grant found a name and a photograph to match the subject, who had a suspended driver's license.
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Grant asked Little to step out of the car, Hackney said. As Grant began to place Little under arrest and got one handcuff on, Little began to fight Grant, Hackney said.
Grant was pushed back, Little swung at the officer and began to run away. During the chase, Grant was able to strike Little with his Taser, causing Little to fall on the ground.
Hackney said Grant tried again to get both handcuffs on Little when the struggle restarted. A second and third strike from Grant's Taser had no effect and Little got hold of the Taser.
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"The subject was able to gain full control of the officer's Taser. Officer loses it from his hand, subject gets it in his. So the subject is now armed with the officers Taser as well as one hand-cuffed hand. Now that's not just a handcuff, those can be used as a weapon," Hackney said.
When the subject regained his footing, the officer then gave him a command to stop, Hackney said. Armed with the Taser and one handcuff, the subject charged at the officer, at which point the officer fired two shots at the subject. Little died at the scene.
Per administrative policy, Grant will be placed on administrative leave, Hackney said. Little's family is now being represented by a local attorney. The case is being investigated by JSO and the State Attorney's Office and will go before the Response to Resistance Board.
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