Ohio police officer shoots journalist after confusing his camera & tripod for a gun
Sep 5, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Shootings are covered by the media every day. What’s not so common, though, is when a news organisation is reporting that one of their own staff has been shot. In this case, New Carlisle News photographer, Andy Grimm. Grimm had left work to cover a lightning storm passing over the small town boasting a population of around 5,700 people.
While he was out, he encountered a traffic stop. He pulled over to turn his camera toward that, and while unloading his equipment from the car, he was shot by Deputy Jake Shaw of the Clark County Sheriff’s office. Reports say that one bullet struck him in the chest, while the other grazed his shoulder.
After being shot, Grimm was rushed to Miami Valley Hospital for surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery. In describing the incident he said…
I was going out to take pictures and I saw the traffic stop and I thought, ‘hey, cool. I’ll get some pictures here.’
he then pulled up into a parking lot in full view of the deputy, got out of his jeep and started setting up his camera.
I turned around toward the cars and then ‘pop, pop,’
Grimm said there was no warning. But he holds no animosity towards the deputy. He went on to say that he knows Jake, likes him, and doesn’t want him to lose his job over it.
Now, I can understand accidents happen. I can see how maybe tripod legs might potentially look like some kind of weird rifle in the dark. Especially when it’s stormy, lightning’s flashing, and visibility’s not that great. But to not even call out a warning? Nothing?
Grimm called the shooting a misunderstanding. But it seems to me that some Sheriff’s Deputies need a little more training.
The Attorney General’s BCI division is investigating the incident.
[via New Carlisle News]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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13 responses to “Ohio police officer shoots journalist after confusing his camera & tripod for a gun”
The Yank Police are just getting worse by the minute??!!
Kind of odd to find this story on the “DIY Photography” blog….
I would not recommend any photographers try to recreate this shot.
I understand your confusion. That’s due to a misprint in the title. It should have read “How to Buy the New Nikon D850 and Nikon F 80-200mm f/2.8 Lens and Still Eat”.
SHOULD HAVE GONE TO SPECSAVERS?
The US is truly beginning it’s decline as a world power, expect to see more and more of the ‘genius’ in the population leave for greener pastures abroad.
Totally glad I’m not a photographer in the states..
What sort of gun warrants a tripod? Ffs
Trigger-happy much? WTF?
I would hate to have shoot with one of these…
We should disband all police departments and reorganization like a volunteer fire department. Reorganization with small monthly salary, no immunity, qualified, implied or otherwise! No enforcement of breaches of state agreement, like no state driver license, or insurance, or financial responsibility. Enough!!!
“Shoot first and ask questions later” mentality.
I heard the dumbest man in the world moved from his country to America and became a cop, in doing so raised the iq level in both countries.
Not just training and re-training on how and when to use a gun, but training to stop their swagger, threatening voice & body language and the air of superiority about them. Recently we were at school to drop off our Grand Daughter on her first day at Kindergarten. And there is this “Detective” with his gun in full view INSIDE the school, till the Father of a child brought the matter to one of the School Staff. Wish the Police Force took a few lessons from the Canadian and the Royal Oman Police Force for kindness & help. We were surprised at the kindly and most helpful nature of the ROP in an accident in Muscat, Oman. The ROP came within 6 minutes. Greeted us with a “As Salam Alaikum” and a hand shake. Requested us for our Driving Licences. Decided whose fault it was, and gave us the necessary papers. All along he was helpful and had a smile on his face and left us with a handshake and the “As Salam Alaikum” again. No swagger or head to the sky or hand resting on his gun holster.