In Consideration of the Use of the Air Taser by


Just thought I would throw this out there- A lot of us use the Air Taser as a non-lethal (less-than-lethal) alternative to firearms, however this article (and especially the last paragraph) should be a reminder that any use of force should be a last resort and that Tasers and pepper ball guns should be treated the same as a firearm in the Use of Force Continuum.


December 4, 2004
Associated Press and the Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2931948

METAIRIE, La. (Dec. 4) - A man sheriff's deputies had shot twice with a stun gun died Saturday, a day after he was pulled over for driving erratically, officials said.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman John Fortunato said Patrick Fleming died at a hospital. Officers had used a Taser stun gun on him twice when he fought with them - once after the traffic stop and then later at the jail.

Fortunato said Fleming, 35, was hospitalized after officers zapped him a second time and his breathing became labored.

Fortunato said the office would have no further comment Saturday. There was no immediate word on when an autopsy would be conducted to determine the cause of death.

A records check found that Fleming was wanted on a charge of criminal neglect of family. Fleming also had a history of resisting arrest and arrests for possession of coca leaves, crack cocaine and marijuana.

Amnesty International reported last week that at least 74 people have died in the United States and Canada in the past four years after being shocked with stun guns manufactured by Taser International Inc. The company has defended its product, saying in the majority of Taser-related fatalities, coroners have attributed the cause of death to heart problems, drug overdose or asphyxiation.