A naked man who was banging on doors and windows at a northside apartment complex died Wednesday after being shocked by Tasers at least three times during a confrontation with Harris County sheriff's deputies, authorities said.
About 4 a.m., deputies received calls from residents at the apartments in the 200 block of Dominion Park near Kuykendahl.
Investigators said the 46-year-old man was randomly knocking on doors and windows and yelling while walking around the complex. At one point, he kicked open a front door and briefly went inside an occupied apartment, officials said.
The resident "did not know who he was," said Lt. John Legg of the Sheriff's Office.
The first deputy arrived within minutes.
"He was immediately confronted by the suspect, who ran toward his patrol car, opened the front passenger door and climbed in," Legg said.
The deputy ordered the man out, but the man ignored his commands, yelling and flailing his arms, Legg said.
"He was incoherent," the lieutenant said. "The deputy said his eyes appeared glassed over."
The deputy's Taser had little, if any, effect, officials said. After the man got out of the patrol car and pulled out the stun gun's prongs, the deputy fired it again while struggling with the man, officials said.
Another deputy arrived and ordered the naked man to back away, then used his Taser, investigators said.
Deputies were then able to handcuff the man, officials said.
He appeared to be unresponsive when paramedics arrived, officials said.
They performed CPR en route to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Torturing and killing the mentally ill with tasers is becoming commonplace. There must be a better way.
No comments:
Post a Comment