Phyllis Wilson isn’t accustomed to driving her new truck, which is equipped with a V8 engine.
The Caroline County resident said it’s hard to gauge when she may run out of gas. She’s done so twice since she began driving the vehicle, with the second instance occurring on Monday afternoon on Ladysmith Road.
Wilson was thankful that her son, DeAmorti Washington, who goes by “D,” was nearby when she called to inform him that she was on the highway without fuel.
Washington pulled up behind his mother to keep an eye on her while another relative went to a nearby Sheetz to purchase gas.
They were on the road for a little more than 10 minutes when a deputy with the Caroline Sheriff’s Office pulled behind Washington.
The deputy saw the handle of a firearm sticking out from a shoulder bag Washington was carrying and asked for identification. According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, Washington became “argumentative” and refused to provide ID.
“Out of concern for his safety, the deputy briefly drew his firearm while giving commands to the driver,” a statement from the sheriff’s office read.
During those tense moments while the officer’s weapon was trained on her son, Wilson called Caroline Maj. Travis Nutter, who has a close relationship with her and Washington. Nutter served as Washington’s mentor and encouraged him to possibly pursue a career as a first responder after serving in the U.S. Army.
Nutter, who was out of town for training, in turn called Sheriff Scott Moser, who briskly arrived to de-escalate the situation.
“This is an example of how quickly things can become tense during even routine encounters, and how communication, understanding and trust can prevent tragedy,” the sheriff’s office statement read. “We are thankful that everyone remained safe, and we’re grateful to live in a community where open dialogue between law enforcement and citizens helps us work through difficult moments together.”
Moser said Washington should’ve shown the deputy his ID. The sheriff’s office statement also requested that citizens remain calm with deputies, especially when they’re visibly armed, declaring that “a few seconds of cooperation can make all the difference.”
But Wilson said the deputy, who is white, treated her son, who is Black, like a criminal while he was simply on the road assisting his mother.
The sheriff’s office statement noted that Washington “lawfully possessed a valid driver’s license and concealed handgun permit.”
“The guy freaks out, pulls out his gun, lunges at my son, says, ‘Get out of the car,’” Wilson said. “I told D don’t get out of the car because I already know what’s going to happen if he gets out the car with how this man’s attitude is.”
Wilson said the deputy, who Moser did not name citing a personnel matter, also requested her ID. She said that when she went to retrieve the ID from her vehicle, the deputy threatened to shoot her.
“He’s like, ‘Give me your ID. If you don’t give me your ID I’m going to hold you for obstruction of justice,’” Wilson said. “So, I’m walking back to the car to get my ID, and he says, ‘If you go in the car, I will shoot you.’
“I’m like, ‘You just told me to go in the car to give you my ID, which one is it? So, he’s like, ‘Stand right there and don’t move.’ I’m highly confused. I’m like, ‘Dude, I just ran out of gas.’”
Wilson said that when she called Nutter, she was frantic. She posted a picture online of the deputy with his weapon drawn while Washington sat in the vehicle with his window up.
“I’m on the phone screaming and crying because this man is going at my son — ‘Put your hands on the steering wheel. Get out the car. Get out of the car now,’” Wilson said. “And I’m trying to tell him not to get out the car. D’s not going to get out of the car. He’s hot-headed. He’s mouthing but he’s not saying anything disrespectful. He’s telling the man, ‘I know my rights. I know my rights,’ things like that.”
Wilson said seeing a police officer pointing a weapon at her son was traumatizing and made her think about officer-involved shootings that have been a topic of discussion in the U.S. for many years.
She said she hopes the deputy faces severe disciplinary action. Moser said the sheriff’s office would first have to conduct an investigation before the officer is disciplined. He said it’s too early to tell if the deputy did anything wrong.
According to Moser, the deputy was wearing a body camera, and his vehicle’s camera was also running. The sheriff said the family is welcome to file a complaint.
“I want his whole badge, because he’s going to end up shooting somebody,” Wilson said.
