A viral video capturing a distressing police encounter in Winter Haven has sparked public outcry and prompted an internal review.
Body camera footage, which has gone viral, showed officers detaining a 27-year-old mother and her 3-year-old daughter at gunpoint outside the American Legion Post last month.
The incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, according to the Winter Haven Police Department. Police Chief Vance Monroe addressed the public in a press conference alongside local faith leaders, acknowledging the disturbing optics of the encounter and expressing regret that a child was exposed to such trauma.
“Down on the Ground!” — Mother and Child Comply with Armed Officers
The woman, Mariah Banks, told Bay News 9 that she and her daughter Symphony followed police commands to get on the ground, fearing for their lives as multiple officers arrived with guns drawn.
“Everybody seen clear as day they had their guns pointed directly at me and her,” Banks said. “That made her fearful for her life that she had no other choice but to get on that ground and lay down and put her hands on her back.”
The incident began after Banks’ boyfriend, Godfrey Hercules, 29, was involved in a physical altercation with an employee at Santiago’s, a nearby store.
According to Banks, Hercules tried to distance himself from her and their daughter as officers approached, hoping to protect them from being caught up in the confrontation.
However, Banks soon found herself face-down on the pavement next to her daughter, a scene that has since circulated widely online.
Police Justify Response Amid Armed Disturbance Call
According to Chief Monroe, officers responded to a BOLO (be-on-the-lookout) alert for Hercules’ red Nissan Altima, after reports of a disturbance involving a firearm.
Officers apprehended Hercules behind the American Legion Post and took him into custody.
Body cam footage released by the department shows Banks approaching the scene with a cellphone before being ordered to the ground. Monroe said the officers’ commands were directed solely at Banks and that her daughter mimicked her actions.
“At no point did an officer aim a weapon at the child,” Monroe said. “Body cam footage confirms that once officers realized a child was present, the firearm was immediately lowered.”
He added that due to staffing limitations, officers were not immediately able to remove the child from the scene. However, Monroe said the officers made efforts to comfort the girl once they became aware of her presence.
“I truly wish that this child wasn’t exposed to this,” Monroe said. “I’m a father, I’m a grandfather, just like the officers that responded. In hindsight, I wish there was something we could change how this young lady engaged with us or how we engaged with her.”
Monroe confirmed that all four officers acted within department policy, but said the department would implement new training focused on how officers should respond in incidents involving children.
Long-Term Impact on Family
Banks said the emotional aftermath of the incident continues to weigh on her and her daughter.
“They’re supposed to serve and protect,” she said. “My baby never felt that. She didn’t feel protected, she didn’t feel served. She felt hurt.”
She is currently seeking professional counseling for Symphony to help her process what happened.
A Diamondback 9mm semiautomatic pistol was later recovered from the couple’s vehicle, police said. Neither Banks nor Hercules was arrested after the store employee declined to press charges.
However, the State Attorney’s Office has since filed complaint affidavits against Hercules for affray and improper display of a weapon.
