Additional Coverage:
- Shocking moment mom brutally punched by police officer after ‘parking outside school’ (themirror.com)
Jacksonville, FL – A Jacksonville mother’s arrest outside a charter school this week escalated into a violent confrontation with a police officer, captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The incident, which led to the first known apprehensions under Florida’s new “Halo Law,” has sparked significant discussion about police conduct and public interaction with law enforcement.
Erika McGriff, 39, was arrested Tuesday outside IDEA Bassett Charter School after she reportedly left her car parked and running in an intersection while picking up her child. A video of the arrest shows the situation rapidly intensifying.
As an officer attempted to restrain McGriff by pinning her arm behind her back, she can be heard screaming about her arm being hurt. She then appeared to try and break free, at which point the officer threw her to the ground.
The altercation continued as McGriff allegedly began punching the officer. She was subsequently thrown to the ground again, pulled by her hair, and ultimately pinned down with a chokehold.
A school administrator reportedly attempted to de-escalate the situation as a crowd gathered and children screamed. McGriff was ultimately charged with battering a police officer, resisting arrest with violence, and driving on a suspended license.
While McGriff’s primary charges did not stem from the recently enacted “Halo Law,” two bystanders, Anita Gibson, 59, and Jasmine Jefferson, 36, were taken into custody for allegedly violating the new statute. The “Halo Law,” which became effective January 1, mandates that individuals maintain a 25-foot distance from first responders while they are performing their duties. According to law enforcement, Gibson and Jefferson were arrested for allegedly using expletive language to harass the officer and failing to provide the required buffer during McGriff’s arrest.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed the incident during a Friday news briefing, stating, “If you violently resist our officers, if you punch them, if you bite them, you will be arrested.”
Regarding the “Halo Law,” Sheriff Waters clarified its application: “I don’t mind people standing beyond 25 feet videoing, or saying what you’re going to say, because people are going to do that and you have the right to say what you want to say.” However, he added, “But if it gets to a point where it creates an uncomfortable level for our police officer, who may or may not get hurt by someone in a crowd, then we have to draw the line.”
The Sheriff noted that other bystanders who were within 25 feet but not actively harassing the officer were not arrested, including the person who filmed the incident. He emphasized the dangers officers face when surrounded, stating, “It’s dangerous, anything can happen. So we want to make sure we let folks know as a public service announcement that if you do this, and you’re asked not to do it, you’re going to get arrested.”
When Governor Ron DeSantis signed the controversial “Halo Law” into effect, he asserted it was intended to support law enforcement officers and accused news media outlets of distorting narratives about police for attention.