Winnipeg police confirm taser victim had knife, believed involved in theft

July 23, 2008
The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg police say it was a youth who died after being shot with a Taser while he was brandishing a knife at officers. Const. Jacqueline Chaput says the 17-year-old refused to comply with repeated requests by the officers to put the knife down and as a result was shot with an electronic stun gun.

She says the victim was believed to be involved in the theft of property from a vehicle and was followed by two citizens who flagged down police.

The teen was taken in critical condition to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Chaput says it is the first time there has been a Taser death involving a member of the Winnipeg Police Service.

Autopsy results are pending and the investigation continues.