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Naked man struck with Taser dies
By OBSERVER STAFF
A man who resisted arrest and was struck with a Taser gun several times by Harris County Sheriff’s deputy died at the hospital, authorities said.
Shortly after 4 a.m. on Dec. 24, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office received several calls from residents of The Trails at Dominion Grove apartment complex located at 211 Dominion Park Drive in Spring. All complainants advised a completely naked male was walking through the complex yelling loudly while pounding on apartment doors and vehicle windows. One complainant advised the suspect kicked in and forced entry through her apartment door, fortunately leaving moments later without physically harming her.
When the first deputy arrived on scene at approximately 4:14 a.m., he was immediately confronted by the suspect who ran to his patrol vehicle, opened the front passenger door and climbed in. The deputy then gave numerous commands directing the suspect to exit the vehicle.
“The suspect ignored all commands and displayed a combative and aggressive demeanor, swinging his closed fists and kicking at the deputy while moving towards him,” said HCSO Lt. John Legg in a news release. “The noncompliance to the deputy’s commands and the proximal risk of the suspect necessitated the deputy’s deployment of his Taser, which struck the suspect with little or no effect. The suspect then exited the patrol car and removed the Taser probes. The deputy’s continued verbal commands and attempts to detain the suspect were met with increased physical resistance and aggression by the suspect, and the deputy then deployed his Taser a second time, which again failed to neutralize the suspect’s actions.”
Legg said that a second deputy arrived on scene and deployed his Taser against the suspect as well in an attempt to control his continued physical aggression towards both he and the initial deputy. The suspect, however, continued to aggressively proceed toward the initial officer and in an attempt to avoid being physically assaulted, he initiated a “contact stun” to the body of the suspect. The two deputies were then able to secure the suspect in handcuffs without further incident.
Moments prior to the arrival of EMS, deputies at the scene observed the suspect to be experiencing a possible medical condition. EMS then arrived at approximately 4:36 a.m. and provided on-scene medical attention before transporting the suspect to Northwest Memorial Hospital.
“The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was later advised the suspect passed away while at the hospital,” Legg stated. “At this time, no additional information regarding the medical condition or cause of death is known, and will likely be unavailable until which time the autopsy report is released by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.“ ”
There were no physical injuries reported by any complainants, residents of the complex or emergency responders following this incident.
Per departmental policy, this incident is being investigated by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division and Internal Affairs Division. Additionally, the deputies involved in this incident have been temporarily placed on administrative duty as is normal protocol following events of this nature.
Shortly after 4 a.m. on Dec. 24, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office received several calls from residents of The Trails at Dominion Grove apartment complex located at 211 Dominion Park Drive in Spring. All complainants advised a completely naked male was walking through the complex yelling loudly while pounding on apartment doors and vehicle windows. One complainant advised the suspect kicked in and forced entry through her apartment door, fortunately leaving moments later without physically harming her.
When the first deputy arrived on scene at approximately 4:14 a.m., he was immediately confronted by the suspect who ran to his patrol vehicle, opened the front passenger door and climbed in. The deputy then gave numerous commands directing the suspect to exit the vehicle.
“The suspect ignored all commands and displayed a combative and aggressive demeanor, swinging his closed fists and kicking at the deputy while moving towards him,” said HCSO Lt. John Legg in a news release. “The noncompliance to the deputy’s commands and the proximal risk of the suspect necessitated the deputy’s deployment of his Taser, which struck the suspect with little or no effect. The suspect then exited the patrol car and removed the Taser probes. The deputy’s continued verbal commands and attempts to detain the suspect were met with increased physical resistance and aggression by the suspect, and the deputy then deployed his Taser a second time, which again failed to neutralize the suspect’s actions.”
Legg said that a second deputy arrived on scene and deployed his Taser against the suspect as well in an attempt to control his continued physical aggression towards both he and the initial deputy. The suspect, however, continued to aggressively proceed toward the initial officer and in an attempt to avoid being physically assaulted, he initiated a “contact stun” to the body of the suspect. The two deputies were then able to secure the suspect in handcuffs without further incident.
Moments prior to the arrival of EMS, deputies at the scene observed the suspect to be experiencing a possible medical condition. EMS then arrived at approximately 4:36 a.m. and provided on-scene medical attention before transporting the suspect to Northwest Memorial Hospital.
“The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was later advised the suspect passed away while at the hospital,” Legg stated. “At this time, no additional information regarding the medical condition or cause of death is known, and will likely be unavailable until which time the autopsy report is released by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.“ ”
There were no physical injuries reported by any complainants, residents of the complex or emergency responders following this incident.
Per departmental policy, this incident is being investigated by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division and Internal Affairs Division. Additionally, the deputies involved in this incident have been temporarily placed on administrative duty as is normal protocol following events of this nature.
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