The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released video of a deputy employing a Taser on a woman who was high on meth and waving a knife at Walmart patrons, according to authorities.
“During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that McGowan entered the shop with a brick in her hand and began threatening customers as she walked about the premises. She then went to the store and purchased a pocket knife, which she used to open the box using a pair of scissors she had brought with her “The Marion County Sheriff’s Office shared a video of the incident on Facebook on Monday, which was also shared on Twitter.
Brandy McGowan, 32, was arrested on March 30 after entering the Walmart in Summerfield, which is located a little more than an hour northwest of Orlando, according to authorities. At approximately 1:30 p.m., law enforcement responded to reports of a woman “threaten[ing] customers and store personnel with a brick and a knife.”
Deputies Christopher Witte and Pamela Thomas discovered McGowan in the clothing department of Walmart, holding a knife and making “incoherent remarks,” according to the report.
During the body camera clip, Witte, who appears to be holding a firearm, can be heard ordering McGowan to drop the knife, but she does not obey.
“Drop the knife, please. Now is the time to put down the knife “Witte says this over and over throughout the video.
According to the sheriff’s office, it appears that he switches his gun for his taser before deploying it on McGowan, which “effectively disarmed her and afforded an opportunity to place her in handcuffs,” according to the sheriff.
McGowan was arrested after it was revealed that he had consumed “about four grams of methamphetamine earlier in the day,” according to police.
She was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being transported to the Marion County Jail for further processing. With no intent to kill, she was accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without provocation.