A police officer in Florida shot a man after mistaking his gun for a Taser, an initial review of the case suggests, police said in a statement.
Highlights
- Michael Ortiz is paralyzed and requires round-the-clock care, the complaint alleges.
- The Hollywood Police Department says the officer mistakenly fired a gun instead of a Taser.
- Ortiz was naked and handcuffed when police shot him in the back, his attorney says.
- Ortiz “was having a mental health crisis” on the day of the shooting after losing his dog, the lawyer says.
- Police say an initial review suggests the officer intended to deploy his taser, but instead discharged his firearm, the police department says on July 3, 2021, a review of the case is being carried out by the man’s civil rights attorney has been conducted in the case.