This bodycam footage from the Tallahassee Police shows an officer in an altercation with a trespassing suspect at an area hotel. The officer had been present at the suspect's earlier eviction and therefore tried to arrest the suspect on his return. However, this cop learns the hard way that sometimes your tools can fail you.

The bodycam footage begins at the point where the officer has recognized the suspect, Willis Adams, having evicted him from the premises earlier that day. Adams has allegedly called 911, to inform them that the officer is attacking him for "no reason", despite his resisting arrest. Adams repeatedly warns the officer that he will be combative, and the officer repeatedly commands Adams to get on the ground. They are at an impasse until 0:33, when the officer fires his TASER...which fails. Adams then charges him, coming over the top with a can of beer, which does not fail.

At 0:42, the footage cuts to the fight being well and truly on as Adams taunts the officer, daring him to shoot. The officer's nerves are audibly rattled by this point. He attacks the back of the suspect's left leg with his baton in almost textbook Academy style( complete with "Get back!"), but it has no effect, either. The strikes admittedly look rather light as recorded, probably because the officer is obviously unnerved. At 0:48, Willis disarms him- the baton can be seen lying on the ground behind the suspect.

The fight then goes hands-on, but Willis overpowers the officer, pinning him on the ground. At 01:15, a bystander arrives, at which point Willis tries to defend his actions while still restraining his opponent. Two seconds later, as they struggle for the officer's firearm, it goes off, shooting the officer in the leg. Willis then flees, with the suspect's weapon.The suspect was arrested later that day, during which he tried to reach for another officer's weapon as well. The initial officer is reported to be recovering from the gunshot, but this incident is probably going to take some time to get over. Lessons: The TASER is not an "I win" button, and you'd better mean it if you go to the baton. Both can fail you, so seek adequate hand-to-hand training.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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