Hollywood police officer accused of shooting naked, handcuffed man criminally charged
FORT LAUDERDALE - A Hollywood police officer who reportedly shot a naked, handcuffed man has been criminally charged.
Henry Andrews, 49, is facing one count of culpable negligence, inflicting actual personal injury, a first-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail.
The shooting took place on July 3, 2021, after police said Michael Ortiz, 42, had called 911 saying he had taken drugs and was suffering from chest pains.
Paramedics arrived first. Ortiz, naked and agitated, emerged from a sixth-floor apartment and threatened to jump from a balcony, said police.
A witness at the time told CBS4 that Ortiz struggled with the paramedics. She said the police arrived shortly after.
"I heard them scuffling and arguing and it looked like he had handcuffs on," she explained.
That's when another officer arrived on the scene.
"By the time he had come up, everything had escalated. Next thing I know I heard a shot," the witness said.
On the day of the shooting, police said Ortiz was making "delusional and suicidal statements." They said Ortiz used his legs to resist being put into restraints as they tried to move him into an elevator to a waiting rescue vehicle.
Hollywood police said Andrews meant to grab his Taser, but instead grabbed his gun and fired the life-altering shot.
The shooting left Ortiz paralyzed and in need of around-the-clock care.
Neighbors still remember the day they saw Ortiz undressed, on the ground struggling with Hollywood police officers outside his apartment.
Seven months ago, famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump representing Ortiz and his family called on the Hollywood police department to release the full video of the incident.
At the time, Hollywood police say the officer meant to use his taser and instead drew his gun.
When reached for comment, Crump had this to say, "While Michael Ortiz's life will forever be more painful and difficult because of the brutality inflicted on him by Henry Andrews, we are encouraged by this charge, as it represents the first step towards justice for Michael."
"However, the first step should have been the Hollywood Police Department terminating Andrews after this brutal incident occurred, followed by the appropriate next step of releasing footage from the incident to the family and public. It remains to be seen if HPD will do the right thing on those fronts."
The officer is on desk duty according to the department.
