Florida Deputy’s Taser Blunder Shocks Partner in Viral Video
I doubt you realize just how complicated it is to aim a Taser, so let me spell it out. A viral clip out of Jacksonville, Florida, captured on a bystander’s phone, shows Sergeant T. Robinson accidentally electrocuting his own partner, Officer Z.J. Poole, in the heat of a Saturday night arrest. If you’re scratching your head, this is exactly why I’m here.
The commotion kicked off after deputies spotted Kheilan Haynes run a red light and performed a traffic stop, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office statement. Haynes allegedly resisted arrest, tucking his hands beneath his body while pinned near a Jeep. Court documents obtained by TMZ reveal Robinson deployed his Taser’s first shot at Haynes—no effect. Frustrated, he squeezed the trigger again but missed his mark entirely and, instead, sent probes into Poole’s backside.
Footage shows Poole’s body stiffen, then collapse as Haynes makes a break for it. Meanwhile, you probably assumed the chaos ends there, but it doesn’t. Deputies pursued Haynes, and Robinson, determined to get it right this time, recharged his Taser and delivered a second jolt—this time on target—subduing the suspect. The JSO press release notes that Haynes now faces a felony charge for fentanyl possession and misdemeanors for resisting without violence and holding under 20 grams of marijuana.
If you’re wondering about the fallout, here’s your rundown: video of the mishap has gone viral, prompting a wave of social-media snark and legitimate policy questions about weapons training. The sheriff’s office insists both deputies are fine and that more rigorous Taser drills are on the docket. Meanwhile, Poole is nursing a bruised ego and backside, and Robinson is internally cringing every time he looks at the arrest report.
This incident isn’t just fodder for late-night hosts; it shines a harsh light on split-second decision-making in law enforcement. Experts quoted by the Florida Times-Union caution that any use-of-force tool can backfire if officers don’t adhere to strict protocols. If you need a takeaway: aiming a Taser requires practice, discipline, and a solid grip—none of which seemed to be on full display here.
Well, now you finally understand how a routine traffic stop turned into an electrifying lesson in what not to do. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ.com arrest report, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office statement, Florida Times-Union expert commentary
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
