Fake news
Let me start by saying that no one is perfect; If you are human, you are flawed. Let’s all take a minute and let that sink in.
The couple interviewed by WKRN stated that they had a clear view of Scott Carroll Jr.’s house and front porch. They stated his hands were up and he was unarmed. None of that was true.
Why?
Maybe it comes down to psychology. During tense or high-stress situations, people often misremember, misinterpret, or outright reject facts because emotional and cognitive systems override rational processing.
Stress can narrow attention and distort memory. When the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ system activates, the brain prioritizes survival over accuracy. Attention narrows to immediate threats, and working memory capacity drops, making it harder to process and store details correctly.
Cognitive biases can also take over. Under pressure, people can rely on confirmed bias – the tendency to reject information that conflicts with existing beliefs.
While we may never know what motivated neighbors to so adamantly paint law enforcement as murders in a self-defense situation, I can tell you what motivated WKRN. They wanted that narrative, because that’s a story that will grab people’s attention. Unlike the couple, they had a journalist responsibility to do what Scott Wood did - zoom in and highlight. Yet, they did not.
I heard Thursday night that officers shot an unarmed Carroll and that there was a “clear video” to prove it. When different people reached out to me, I requested a copy. Show it to me. It never came. I wanted to scrutinize it. People can be wrong during stressful situations. This highly qualifies.
I’m human, so I’m flawed. I covered that situation for five hours – giving my firsthand account to keep the community informed, using my experience in the field to interpret what was happening from my vantage point, and if officers were accurate, putting myself into harm’s way to cover it. This is my job, and I did it. Throughout the whole ordeal, I made one honest slip. After one lane of Bybee Branch Road was opened by law enforcement, I visually saw civilian vehicles coming down the street and pulling into their residences, I reported that people were being allowed to return home. I was informed that not everyone was allowed to return home and that correction was made. I apologize to those affected by that.
I want to take this time to say “thank you” to the residents of Bybee Woods Drive for their kindness. When I was informed about the situation, I went. I left without food, water, sunblock, or using the bathroom. One woman offered me sunblock. I sprayed myself down. Another woman offered me a bottle of water, which I drank quickly. A man offered me another bottle of water, which turned out to be amazingly cold. I was so hot that I, in front of God and everybody, shoved it down my bra. Sorry, not sorry.
One woman came home and asked me what was going on. I told her. She stated, “if you need anything, my apartment is right there.” When law enforcement ordered us to leave or get into our homes, I decided I was not leaving. I knocked on her door. She called her sister, “I’ve got a reporter in my house.” A very special thank you for that kindness, girl.
To Mr. Carroll’s family and friends, you have my condolences. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Finally, I’d like to express my appreciation for how law enforcement handled this situation and my sympathies for being so unfairly and inaccurately judged. They wanted a peaceful resolution. They spent more than six hours trying to make that happen, but it was not to be. Thank you for all you did and will do in the future to protect the community. You have my respect.