You may find this hard to believe but a Black man simply walking across the street resulted in a three-car police response and threats of arrest.
Devonte Shipman, 21, and a friend were confronted by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer J.S. Bolen after allegedly crossing against a light. Shipman was calm, polite and recording an agitated police officer seemed intent on escalating a minor situation. The video of the encounter was uploaded to Facebook and has been viewed several million times.
Shipman kept his cool during the encounter even after officer Bolen threatened him with arrest. Bolen stated to Shipman, “In the state of Florida you have to have an ID card on you identifying who you are. I can detain you up to seven hours until I figure out who you are.”
Shipman was cited by police for being in violation of Florida Statute 322.15, which requires all drivers to present a valid license should law enforcement request it. But since Shipman was walking, a driver’s license was not required. He was also given another citation for crossing against the traffic signal. The encounter can be viewed below.
https://www.facebook.com/devonte.shipman/videos/1599286606749155/
