VIDEO: Cocoa Police Submits Charging Documents To Prosecutors In Jamel Dunn Drowning Incident
By Space Coast Daily // July 27, 2017
five teens ages 14-18 mocked drowning man
ABOVE VIDEO: Cocoa Police Chief Mike Cantaloupe addresses the media about the drowning death of 31-year-old Jamel Dunn. (WKMG Video)
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – The Cocoa Police Department has filed documents with the State Attorney’s Office, 18th Judicial Circuit, for further review and determination if recommended charges will be filed against five teens who recorded 31-year-old Jamel Dunn’s drowning while they mocked and laughed at him.
Cocoa Police Chief Mike Cantaloupe announced last Friday afternoon that the police department will recommend charges that the teens failed to render aid.
The decision on whether or not to proceed with the charges will be made in the next few weeks as the State Attorney’s Office makes a final decision.
BELOW: WARNING! – GRAPHIC VIDEO
WARNING! – GRAPHIC VIDEO: Some viewers may find the above video disturbing as five Brevard teens mock distressed Jamel Dunn as he drowned.
Original Story: July 21, 2017
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Cocoa Police released additional information on the drowning death of 31-year-old Jamel Dunn from Cocoa.
Authorities say Cocoa Police officers responded to the southern pond at Bracco Park for a report of a body found floating close to the edge of the pond. It was later determined by the medical examiner that Dunn’s cause of death was drowning.
Over the weekend, detectives say Dunn’s death was recorded on video by a group of teens and posted on social media.
Authorities say the disturbing footage captures the teens mocking and laughing at Dunn as he struggled, and yelled for help, before going under the water.
“The video was brought to our attention this past weekend, our detectives reviewed the video, and the five juveniles who recorded the incident were identified and interviewed,” said Cocoa Police Chief Mike Cantaloupe.
“The State Attorney’s Office was consulted regarding what, if any criminal charges could be applied in this incident, and as horrible as this video is, the laws in the State of Florida do not obligate citizens to render aid or call someone to render aid to a person in distress.
“We are all affected by what was captured on the video. There are no words to describe how utterly inhumane and cruel the actions of these juveniles were towards Mr. Dunn.”
Police found Dunn’s body on July 14 after Dunn’s fiancé reported him missing on Wednesday, July 12.
Chief Cantaloupe offered his condolences to Dunn’s family and friends.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to Mr. Dunn’s family and friends. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his decision to enter the water that day, there is absolutely no justification for what the juveniles did,” Chief Cantaloupe added.
“As law enforcement officers, we are sworn to uphold and enforce the laws. Unfortunately, there are no laws in Florida that apply to this scenario. Perhaps this case may be what’s needed to pass new laws. As chief of police there are times when I wish I could do more. But I’m a firm believer in that good will always win over evil. It may not come in our life time, but there will be justice.”
A GoFundMe page has been started for Dunn’s family, to visit CLICK HERE
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