Crime & Safety
Man Dies After Being Tasered Outside Local Police Department
Meriden police said the man drove into the gated lot behind the department and admitted to using drugs, then became combative and was subdued with a stun gun before later dying at a nearby hospital.
By Local Editor Jason Vallee.
The Connecticut State Police Central Crime Squad is investigating the death of a man that Meriden police said entered a lot behind police headquarters, admitted to using drugs and proceeded to attack officers and medical personnel when they attempted to provide assistance.
Police said responding officers used a stun gun to subdue the man after he became combative for an extended period. The man was eventually taken into MidState Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said.
The name of the man has not been released.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. after officers with the Meriden Police Department encountered a man who had driven into the gated parking lot behind the department, Det. Lt. Mark Walerysiak said. Officers said the man was acting irrationally.
“He was exhibiting paranoiac symptoms and characteristics consistent with drug use,” Walerysiak said. “In fact, the male admitted to having smoked crack and swallowed cocaine earlier in the evening.”
Stories About Recent Taser-Related Incidents in Middletown
Walerysiak said the subject was eventually handcuffed, but continued the out of control behavior and began spitting saliva and blood at officers and EMTs, attempting to bite them and refusing to calm.
At that point, according to the police report, officers were forced to use a stun gun to subdue him. While in handcuffs, Walerysiak said the man grabbed the stun gun and refused to let go for some time. It was unclear if he received an electric shock while grabbing the stun gun.
The subject was eventually taken to MidState, the police report said, but continued to fight officers even after they arrived at the hospital.
“He continued fighting while being placed into a hospital room,” Walerysiak said. “Some time after the subject arrived at the hospital, medical staff indicated that the male had died.”
The Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Squad was called in to conduct an investigation at the request of Meriden Police Chief Jeffry Cossette and the New Haven State's Attorney.
It is common for state police to take over an investigation when it involves officers from within the department, both Vance and Walerysiak said.
Vance said the name of the man will continue to be withheld pending notification of next of kin. The body has been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington for autopsy.
The incident happens three years after police in Middletown subdued a 35-year-old Middletown man, Efrain Carrion, with a Taser. The man later died and the officer was cleared of any misconduct.
Just last month Middletown police used a Taser to subdue a middle school student.
The state had crafted legislation that would create more rules for police use of stun guns, however the bill never made it out of committee.
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