Man in body camera footage drives lawn mower to allegedly escape deputy; he shoots himself in the hand

Newly released police body camera footage shows what authorities claimed man from Michigan was driving a riding lawn mower and refused to stop for a deputy before he was tasered and accidentally shot himself in the hand.

Police reportedly responded to a home in Leoni Township on September 19 to arrest a man who had several outstanding warrants. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy arrived at the home to arrest 41-year-old James Mitchell Kerr, who was driving a riding lawn mower and allegedly refused to get off the machine.

Authorities said Kerr accelerated toward the deputy and then drove away as the deputy chased him.

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James Kerr allegedly tried to escape from the deputy by riding away on a lawn mower before being tasered and shooting himself in the hand. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office)

The mower eventually stopped in the ditch, but Kerr allegedly refused to comply he followed the deputy’s orders even when the deputy threatened to set him on fire.

Police said Kerr continued to ignore the deputy’s command, returned to the mower, pulled out a handgun hidden on the mower and pointed it at the deputy.

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Police camera footage shows James Kerr allegedly fleeing on a lawnmower. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office)

In response, the deputy fired his Taser, striking Kerr, which caused Kerr to do so shoot yourself in the hand.

Kerr was treated and released from a local hospital for a gunshot wound. The deputy was not injured.

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A deputy assisted a Michigan man with outstanding warrants after he allegedly fled on a lawnmower and refused to be arrested. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office)

“This incident highlights how quickly a seemingly routine encounter can escalate and the potential dangers police officers face,” the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said. “Fortunately, the deputy was unharmed and the suspect was not seriously injured.”

After being cleared, Kerr was arrested and released on bail.

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Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette also asked Michigan State Police to conduct an independent investigation while the sheriff’s office conducted an internal investigation. An internal investigation found no violations of policy during the altercation.

Kerr was charged in October and was scheduled for a hearing in district court last week. He is being held in the Jackson County Jail.