Critics argue that Tasers and other high-voltage stunning devices can not only cause personal injury but also cardiac arrhythmia in susceptible subjects. The use of a Taser by police on human beings can cause a heart attack in minutes to even the healthiest of people. Death can occur by ventricular fibrillation, if not treated immediately which can lead to cardiac arrest. The death of a 31 year old medical school graduate is being investigated by Connecticut state police after a Taser incident led to his death. Lashono Gilbert died Saturday morning, a few hours after being arrested on the suspicion of carjacking. Police officers used a Taser on the man twice in an eight hour span. The police were forced to Taser him the first time for resisting arrest. He attacked officers a few hours later at the police station which led to a second use of a Taser on the man.
His body was being examined, sometime Sunday, by the chief medical examiner to determine the cause of death.
Initial Arrest
Gilbert was initially arrested sometime after 7:00 p.m. Friday night on charges of carjacking. The police say he had jumped through the window of a woman’s car while she was driving. She had said he had started to make stabbing motions and was speaking in a manner that seemed bizarre. The women floored the gas to get him off of her and then called 911.
The man told police that he was hearing voices. He was also yelling and acting aggressively as he resisted arrest. This caused the police to use a Taser to subdue him. Gilbert was then taken to the local hospital by ambulance and then to the police station at about 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Police Station
Gilbert was placed in a holding cell after his arrival at the police station. He then proceeded to take off his pants and began to twist them, like he was making a rope. The door was opened by officers at the station to take away the pants as they feared he might try to hurt or injure himself.
He started to rush the door and managed to make his way to the booking area. The booking area is in a common area of the station. He then started to throw various objects at the officers before he got into a struggle with the officers. The struggle ended when he was tasered by an officer for a second time.
Gilbert was placed into an ambulance that was en route to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital 3:23 a.m. Saturday morning. The State Police District Major Crime Squad will be investigating his death after being asked by the police chief and state’s attorney of New London. The state police were sent to the scene to gather evidence and conduct interviews. This case is still under investigation.
Gilbert is not the only one to be seriously injured by police Taser incidences, here is a dramatic video of a young girl getting tased which caused a seriously injury to her head:
Woman Injured by a Police Taser
Ballston Spa Man Dies After Being Tased By Police
Have You Been Tasered?
Today Taser devices have become all too common and are used by regular police officers in large numbers. Cops have been known to use them without warrant and with disregard for the safety of the people.
Even though several of today’s popular Taser devices allow for the optional addition of video cameras on the Taser device, very few police departments choose to opt for them. Could this be because police departments know they are too often used without a legitimate reason?
If you have been in a Taser incident, you should speak to an experience personal injury law firm to discuss your situation. Anyone who is not sure about their situation has nothing to lose by taking the time to make a phone call to contact a local attorney.