Former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson dies after being tasered by police

 

 

LONDON: -- Former English premier league striker Dalian Atkinson has died after being shot with a taser by police.

 

Officers say they were called to the house of Atkinson’s father for a ‘report for the safety of an individual’ in the early hours of Monday when the taser was used.

 

The ex-Aston Villa star suffered a cardiac arrest after receiving medical treatment.

 

The incident has been referred to the police watchdog, which has launched an investigation.

 

Tributes

Aston Villa said it was ‘saddened to hear of the death’ in a statement, adding ‘our thoughts are with his family and friends at this terrible time.’

 

Others took to social media to share their memories and condolences.

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-08-16

Ouch!  RIP. I think there will be so many regrets within the family. Very sad.

If a private citizen Tasered someone and they died as a result, would that not be involuntary manslaughter?  Criminal and Civil lawsuits to follow?

 

Why shouldn't the police and the Taser company be held responsible?

 

Two things give me pause, spending a night in any hospital and calling for police assistance.   Either could cause your demise!

 

 

First of all a Taser is classed as a firearm in the UK, so a private citizen would be in big trouble for just possessing a Taser, never mind using it.

Secondly the levels of accountability and training in the UK police are higher than they have ever been.

Thirdly any incident that leads to the death of a suspect is scrutinised to the highest degree by the IPCC automatically.

Fourthly the levels of training mentioned earlier mean that the police would only have resorted to the use of a Taser if they had strong grounds for believing that Mr Atkinson was a danger to himself, a danger to others or a danger to the police.

Finally, although you clearly believe otherwise, the full details of this case will eventually be released to the public and the media.

Having been a professional sportsman is no guarantee that one's post-retirement life will be respectable, just ask Paul Gascoigne, Ray Wilkins, Frank (now-reformed crack user) Bruno and many more.

Well he was only trying to murder his 84yr old dad at the time so why tazer him? Surely a chat with some tea and biscuits would have been enough?