Cop's Taser puts boy in cardiac arrest
February 9, 2005
BY DAVE NEWBART AND ANNIE SWEENEY Staff Reporters Advertisement
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-taser09.html
A 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after police used a stun gun to subdue him, authorities said Tuesday.
More than a day after the Monday morning incident, the boy remained unconscious at Children's Memorial Hospital, Cook County Public Guardian Robert Harris said. Harris questioned why police used a Taser on the boy, a ward of the state who was living at a residential treatment center on the North Side.
"It's crazy stuff,'' he said.
But Chicago Police spokesman Dave Bayless said the boy lurched at an officer after a violent outburst at the center, in which he attacked three people and broke three windows. The boy has been charged with three counts of aggravated battery to protected employees and one count of aggravated assault.
Police said it was the first time anyone in the city had gone into cardiac arrest after being hit by the Taser electronic gun, which shoots wire barbs that give shocks of 50,000 volts of electricity.
Bayless said police planned to review research on the safety of the guns, which the department has used since last year. Nationwide more than 80 people have died after receiving the shocks, according to published reports.
The boy has been a ward of the state since 1999 and has lived at the North Side center run by Ulich Children's Advantage Network since June 2003. Ulich officials said the incident was under investigation and would not comment.
14-year-old was not armed
The incident happened around 9:40 a.m. Monday, Bayless said. The boy, described by Harris as a "big kid,'' became agitated and out of control. He allegedly began shattering windows and battered employees of the center, Bayless said.
But he did not have a weapon and was not believed to be under the influence of drugs, Harris said. By the time police arrived, the boy had calmed down, Harris claimed. Still, he refused treatment for a severe cut to his hand, which was bleeding.
"It was my understanding he was just sitting there,'' Harris said. "But he didn't want anybody to touch him.''
Bayless said police officers warned the boy for 10 minutes that they were going to use the Taser on him if he didn't cooperate.
The boy then allegedly swung his fist and leaped toward a sergeant, who discharged the Taser, police said. The boy fell to the floor and was handcuffed. Police then realized he was unresponsive, and paramedics attempted to revive him. They took him to the hospital in critical condition, police said.
Bayless said the sergeant followed the correct procedure for using the Tasers, which are supposed to be used as an alternative to lethal force.
"When he has hit three people, broken three windows with his bare hands, there is more urgency then simply telling him, 'We need to get you to a doctor,' '' Bayless said.
But Harris said the force appeared excessive. "There has to be other means other than Taser,'' he said.
Arizona-based Taser International spokesman Steve Tuttle said it was "inappropriate to jump to conclusions as to the cause of the subject's medical condition,'' but said the weapons are safe. Chicago aldermen expressed concern about the weapons at hearings last month.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-taser10.html
DCFS may sue Chicago Police over use of stun gun on boy, 14
February 10, 2005
BY DAVE NEWBART Staff Reporter Advertisement
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services plans to file a lawsuit charging Chicago Police used excessive force against a 14-year-old boy who suffered heart failure after being shocked by a stun gun.
Paul Wolf, an attorney retained by DCFS, the boy's guardian, confirmed Wednesday his firm could file a complaint as early as today in Cook County Circuit Court.
"We will be making a claim there was improper use of a Taser,'' Wolf said in response to questions from the Sun-Times.
Taser is the name of the electronic gun that police used to subdue the boy on Monday.
DCFS spokeswoman Diane Jackson would not discuss the potential action, saying only that "we want to do what's best for [the boy].'' City Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle said it was not appropriate to comment until after the suit was filed.
But police spokesman Sgt. Robert Cargie said the use of the weapon was appropriate because the boy allegedly battered employees of the group home where he lived and assaulted a police officer.
The boy, who went into cardiac arrest after being jolted by the stun gun Monday, had remained unconscious through part of Wednesday. But he later awoke and was taken off a respirator, and he could be moved out of intensive care today, said Robert Harris, Cook County public guardian.
"He is starting to respond,'' said Harris, adding the long-term effect of the shock remains unknown.
911 called for medical treatment
Harris continued to contend that police should not have used the stun gun on the boy because staff at Ulich Children's Advantage Network had already calmed him down after an outburst. They had called 911 for medical treatment, not police assistance. He said there were about 10 adults in the room with the boy when police used the Taser on him. Contrary to police claims the boy lunged at a sergeant before the Taser was used, Harris said the boy was sitting on a couch when struck.
Also Wednesday, Amnesty International, citing the incident, again called for police departments nationwide to halt use of the Taser on children or other vulnerable groups until more testing is done.
"There is no evidence on how Tasers affect the developing brains of children,'' said Amnesty spokesman Ed Jackson.
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser International officials said tests on pigs ranging in weight from 66 to 257 pounds showed the weapons to be safe.
Cargie said police department guidelines do not prohibit use of the weapon on a minor, and noted that the boy was 6 feet tall and weighed more than 200 pounds. "It has nothing to do with age,'' he said. "It has everything to do with the situation and an aggressive assailant.''
Amnesty also said some experts suggest not using the weapon against people on medications that alter the heart rate.
"It's not uncommon for kids in residential facilities to be on medications," Harris said.
February 9, 2005
BY DAVE NEWBART AND ANNIE SWEENEY Staff Reporters Advertisement
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-taser09.html
A 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after police used a stun gun to subdue him, authorities said Tuesday.
More than a day after the Monday morning incident, the boy remained unconscious at Children's Memorial Hospital, Cook County Public Guardian Robert Harris said. Harris questioned why police used a Taser on the boy, a ward of the state who was living at a residential treatment center on the North Side.
"It's crazy stuff,'' he said.
But Chicago Police spokesman Dave Bayless said the boy lurched at an officer after a violent outburst at the center, in which he attacked three people and broke three windows. The boy has been charged with three counts of aggravated battery to protected employees and one count of aggravated assault.
Police said it was the first time anyone in the city had gone into cardiac arrest after being hit by the Taser electronic gun, which shoots wire barbs that give shocks of 50,000 volts of electricity.
Bayless said police planned to review research on the safety of the guns, which the department has used since last year. Nationwide more than 80 people have died after receiving the shocks, according to published reports.
The boy has been a ward of the state since 1999 and has lived at the North Side center run by Ulich Children's Advantage Network since June 2003. Ulich officials said the incident was under investigation and would not comment.
14-year-old was not armed
The incident happened around 9:40 a.m. Monday, Bayless said. The boy, described by Harris as a "big kid,'' became agitated and out of control. He allegedly began shattering windows and battered employees of the center, Bayless said.
But he did not have a weapon and was not believed to be under the influence of drugs, Harris said. By the time police arrived, the boy had calmed down, Harris claimed. Still, he refused treatment for a severe cut to his hand, which was bleeding.
"It was my understanding he was just sitting there,'' Harris said. "But he didn't want anybody to touch him.''
Bayless said police officers warned the boy for 10 minutes that they were going to use the Taser on him if he didn't cooperate.
The boy then allegedly swung his fist and leaped toward a sergeant, who discharged the Taser, police said. The boy fell to the floor and was handcuffed. Police then realized he was unresponsive, and paramedics attempted to revive him. They took him to the hospital in critical condition, police said.
Bayless said the sergeant followed the correct procedure for using the Tasers, which are supposed to be used as an alternative to lethal force.
"When he has hit three people, broken three windows with his bare hands, there is more urgency then simply telling him, 'We need to get you to a doctor,' '' Bayless said.
But Harris said the force appeared excessive. "There has to be other means other than Taser,'' he said.
Arizona-based Taser International spokesman Steve Tuttle said it was "inappropriate to jump to conclusions as to the cause of the subject's medical condition,'' but said the weapons are safe. Chicago aldermen expressed concern about the weapons at hearings last month.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-taser10.html
DCFS may sue Chicago Police over use of stun gun on boy, 14
February 10, 2005
BY DAVE NEWBART Staff Reporter Advertisement
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services plans to file a lawsuit charging Chicago Police used excessive force against a 14-year-old boy who suffered heart failure after being shocked by a stun gun.
Paul Wolf, an attorney retained by DCFS, the boy's guardian, confirmed Wednesday his firm could file a complaint as early as today in Cook County Circuit Court.
"We will be making a claim there was improper use of a Taser,'' Wolf said in response to questions from the Sun-Times.
Taser is the name of the electronic gun that police used to subdue the boy on Monday.
DCFS spokeswoman Diane Jackson would not discuss the potential action, saying only that "we want to do what's best for [the boy].'' City Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle said it was not appropriate to comment until after the suit was filed.
But police spokesman Sgt. Robert Cargie said the use of the weapon was appropriate because the boy allegedly battered employees of the group home where he lived and assaulted a police officer.
The boy, who went into cardiac arrest after being jolted by the stun gun Monday, had remained unconscious through part of Wednesday. But he later awoke and was taken off a respirator, and he could be moved out of intensive care today, said Robert Harris, Cook County public guardian.
"He is starting to respond,'' said Harris, adding the long-term effect of the shock remains unknown.
911 called for medical treatment
Harris continued to contend that police should not have used the stun gun on the boy because staff at Ulich Children's Advantage Network had already calmed him down after an outburst. They had called 911 for medical treatment, not police assistance. He said there were about 10 adults in the room with the boy when police used the Taser on him. Contrary to police claims the boy lunged at a sergeant before the Taser was used, Harris said the boy was sitting on a couch when struck.
Also Wednesday, Amnesty International, citing the incident, again called for police departments nationwide to halt use of the Taser on children or other vulnerable groups until more testing is done.
"There is no evidence on how Tasers affect the developing brains of children,'' said Amnesty spokesman Ed Jackson.
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser International officials said tests on pigs ranging in weight from 66 to 257 pounds showed the weapons to be safe.
Cargie said police department guidelines do not prohibit use of the weapon on a minor, and noted that the boy was 6 feet tall and weighed more than 200 pounds. "It has nothing to do with age,'' he said. "It has everything to do with the situation and an aggressive assailant.''
Amnesty also said some experts suggest not using the weapon against people on medications that alter the heart rate.
"It's not uncommon for kids in residential facilities to be on medications," Harris said.
