On Sunday, August 24 at 6:24 pm, a Deputy Sheriff with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office took a local man into custody. During the arrest, the man resisted and the deputy used his “taser” to gain control. The deputy called for EMS due to the subject acting strange prior to the arrest. While waiting, the deputy noticed the man stopped breathing and the deputy started CPR until relieved by EMS at 6:35 pm. EMS transported the man to Lake Shore Hospital where he was later pronounced dead by hospital staff.
Deputy Sheriff Bradley Carpenter was sent to 135 SW Jamie Glen in Lake City at 6:17 pm due to a report of a suspicious person in the yard. The caller, an elderly female, 91 years of age gave a description of the subject in her yard and advised she was afraid. She advised she had watched the subject enter her yard and she yelled to him and he responded by throwing a metal pipe at her. She then retreated inside the home and called 911.
When Deputy Carpenter arrived, he heard noises coming from the shed in the rear of the home located within the fenced yard. As he investigated, he found Timothy Shad Griffis, 35, in the shed and ordered him out. Griffis refused and made comments that he would “kill” Deputy Carpenter. Deputy Carpenter told Griffis if he did not comply he would use his “taser”. Griffis failed to comply, making an aggressive movement toward the deputy and the “taser” was then deployed to gain compliance. Griffis was handcuffed and EMS was called. Griffis began having difficulty breathing and then stopped. CPR was administered by Deputy Carpenter until relieved by EMS. Griffis was taken to the hospital where he died and was pronounced by the ER physician.
Sheriff Mark Hunter responded to the scene and directed that FDLE conduct the investigation into the death. Per CCSO policy, Deputy Carpenter was placed on paid administrative leave and an Internal Affairs Investigation will be conducted.
The investigation continues.
