Daniel Knight
Date: 2/19/2022 Location: Winter Park, FL FACTORS (1,2,3,12,14,15,19)
Name: Daniel Patrick Knight
Criminal History/Involved: Unknown. / Yes, Knight was harassing and assaulting people at the wedding.
Mental Illness: Unknown.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / Yes, Knight was described as being drunk.
Race/Sex/Age: Unknown/Male/39
Officer(s) involved: Two Winter Park police officers
What prompted the initial contact with police? At approximately 9:45 p.m. on February 19, 2022, Winter Park police responded to a 911 call of a “violent” and “very drunk” male attacking people at a wedding party. Upon arrival the officers observed that man, Daniel Knight, fighting with another guest.
Actions taken by subject towards police: Instead of peacefully complying with the officers, Knight attacked them as well, punching one of the officers in the face and knocking him out.
Reactions by the police: Upon seeing officer #1 get knocked unconscious by Knight, officer #2 tased Knight. Unaffected by the taser, Knight began assaulting that officer and knocked him down to the ground as well. At that point, with officer #1 already beaten unconscious and observing how the violent drunk was immune to pain, officer #2 shot Knight, killing him.
Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: Incident is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Knight could still be alive if he: had not gotten violently drunk and started attacking people, prompting a 911 call; complied with the officers and stopped being violent; not assaulted officer #1; not assaulted officer #2.
Miscellaneous: Both officers were treated at the hospital for “non-life-threatening injuries”
Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, officer #2 was confronted by a visibly drunk and irrational man who had knocked out another police officer and was impervious to the taser. Reasonably fearful for his life from the violent man who was now attacking him, and having unsuccessfully tried to stop him using less than lethal force, officer #2 justifiably used deadly force to defend himself.
