Alberta man hit by RCMP Tasers three weeks ago dies

August 30, 2006
Canadian Press

RED DEER, Alta. — A Red Deer man who was subdued by RCMP with Tasers three weeks ago died in hospital Wednesday.

An RCMP official said Jason Doan, 28, had been in Red Deer regional hospital ever since the Aug. 10 incident.

That's when officers were called to a Red Deer neighbourhood after a man was seen damaging vehicles.

The man fled when Mounties arrived. He was apprehended after a foot chase, but he resisted arrest, said police. A scuffle broke out and police zapped the man three times.

Mounties said they used the Tasers after an officer was hit with the wooden handle of a pitchfork.

“A police officer was struck ... once in the head and once in the arm,” RCMP Superintendent Brian Simpson said earlier this week.

“This individual was demonstrating a high level of frustration, anger, whatever it may have been.”

RCMP declined further comment Wednesday, except to say the investigation is now in the hands of the medical examiner.

Calgary police have also been overseeing an investigation into the arrest.

Tasers can administer shocks of up to 50,000 volts, meant to temporarily stun a person.

Taser International distributes the weapons to police; depending on the model they can be used from a fair distance away or touched directly to skin or clothes.

Mr. Simpson said the man was Tasered by direct touch.

Amnesty International has reported that 14 Canadians died after being Tasered between April 2003 and December 2005.

The organization has urged police to stop using the weapon until more independent research is done on its use and effect.

Mr. Simpson said earlier that using a Taser three times to subdue a struggling suspect is not unusual, adding the weapons are safe.

“I've been Tasered twice myself,” he said, referring to training. “I would not have allowed myself to be Tasered twice if I didn't think they were safe weapons.”