ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Police Department is launching an internal investigation into the conduct of an officer who threatened to shoot 22-year-old Zion Skepple last week. The investigation comes after Skepple’s mother posted a Ring video of the incident on Wednesday.
Thursday, a local mother is calling for the officer’s badge after capturing the moment he threatened to shoot her son, Zion Skepple. Orlando Police released the full body camera footage Thursday, which we watched in real time with his mother, Nealy—who was visibly upset.
“OPD, OPD, where he ran from you, where he ran from you. But you don’t have to run—he ran to him the whole time—he was already walking to his house. Like, come on, come on OPD. Yeah, come on OPD,” said Nealy.
According to Orlando Police, the officer responded to a call on July 4 around 6:40 p.m. about someone waving a gun in front of a group of people at Crossroads Apartments.
The caller described the suspect as a Black male with an afro, wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans. But Skepple’s mother points out her son has dreadlocks and was not wearing black jeans that day.
“My point is, this is what our Black kids have to endure. These are the lives they live—being profiled like this. This is what I’m talking about,” said Nealy.
Police said they gave Skepple multiple commands to stop, but he kept walking away. An officer tried using a Taser, but it didn’t stop him.
Officers said Skepple ran toward an apartment and was hit with a second Taser shot, which brought him down. He quickly got back up, turned, and made a motion like he was reaching for something. That’s when the officer drew their gun and ordered him to the ground.
His mother said the body-camera footage doesn’t match what’s written in the police report, and she insisted her son had a legal right to carry a firearm.
“That is his gun. It’s a registered firearm. As you can see—he wasn’t even charged with it,” said Nealy.
Nealy said she wants justice for her son, who needed stitches after the encounter left his face busted open.
According to police, Skepple ultimately complied with the responding officer, and he was taken into custody. Police said they found an extended magazine with 31 rounds and cannabis on his person.
As a result, Skepple now faces charges of possessing cannabis and resisting an officer without violence.
Skepple bonded out and is set to make his first court appearance on Aug. 6.
Nealy said she plans to take legal action against the Orlando Police Department.