Man on Riding Mower Refuses to Stop, Gets Tased and Shoots Himself: Newly Released Bodycam Footage
Newly released police bodycam footage has revealed a bizarre incident in Michigan, where a man driving a riding mower refused to pull over for a deputy and ended up tasing himself and accidentally shooting his own hand. The incident took place on September 19 in Leoni Township, when the police responded to a home to arrest a man with several outstanding warrants.
The deputy arrived at the scene to apprehend 41-year-old James Mitchell Kerr, who was reportedly driving a riding lawn mower and refused to get off the machine. Kerr allegedly accelerated towards the deputy and then rode away as the deputy gave chase. It was a slow pursuit, reminiscent of a comical scene from a movie.
Eventually, Kerr’s mower came to a halt in a ditch, but he still refused to comply with the deputy’s commands, even after being threatened with a taser. Ignoring the deputy, Kerr returned to the mower and pulled out a handgun that had been hidden on the vehicle. He then pointed it at the deputy, escalating the situation to a dangerous level.
In response to the imminent threat, the deputy fired his stun gun, striking Kerr. However, the shock caused Kerr to unintentionally shoot himself in the hand. Kerr was quickly taken to a local hospital, where he was treated and released for his gunshot wound. Fortunately, the deputy was unharmed during the incident.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the potential dangers that deputies face daily in seemingly routine encounters. They expressed relief that the deputy emerged unscathed and that Kerr’s injuries were not severe. The incident served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of law enforcement work.
Following the incident, Kerr was arrested and released on bail after being cleared by the hospital. Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette requested an independent criminal investigation by the Michigan State Police, in addition to an internal investigation conducted by the sheriff’s office. The internal investigation found no policy violations on the part of the deputy.
Kerr was charged in October and recently bound over for trial in circuit court. He is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
