After Tuesday’s incident between a female Liberty High School student and School Resource Officer, Osceola Sheriff Deputy Ethan Fournier, that was heavily shared on social media – including national media, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez made the decision to hand over the investigation to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
A video of the incident shows Deputy Fournier attempting to take down the Liberty High School student and while doing so it appeared that the student’s head struck the ground with great impact. According to the Sheriff’s Office Fournier was trying to end a fight between the girl and another student.
At a press conference held Wednesday morning at the Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Lopez said Deputy Ethan Fournier was put on paid administrative leave while FDLE investigates the incident.
“The name of the student has not been released because she is a minor. From my understanding the juvenile is fine,” according to Sheriff Lopez.
“We remove this burden off of us and pass it on to a higher authority to ensure that no one can say that we’re looking out for our own,” Sheriff López said during Wednesday’s press conference. “It’s the right step to go.”
There is still a question of what took place prior to what is seen on the video and other videos of the incident.
Sheriff Lopez shared during the press conference that Deputy Fournier has received death threats, and said. “anyone who is caught making death threats would face criminal action.”
During the press conference Sheriff López stated that Deputy Fournier doesn’t have a history of misconduct “other than minor damage to property.”
