Author Topic: Police killed deaf cyclist with stun gun for not stopping when ordered  (Read 2785 times)

A police officer killed an elderly, deaf and mentally disabled man riding his bicycle by shooting him with a Taser stun gun after he failed to obey instructions to stop.

Roger Anthony, 61, was killed as he made his way home in Scotland Neck, South Carolina, after officers responded to a 911 call about a man who had fallen off his bicycle in a car park.

The caller told dispatchers that the man appeared drunk and that it looked like he had hurt himself.

Officers said they repeatedly told Mr Anthony to get off his bike, but when he didn't respond, they shocked him.

The state Office of the Medical Examiner hasn't yet determined a cause of death.

Family members claim Mr Anthony had hearing problems and suffered from seizures. Now they're considering whether to file a lawsuit against the town.

His brother Michael said: 'What did they tase him for? It's hurting me. It's really hurting me.'

Scotland Neck Mayor James Mills said he wouldn't blame the family for suing.

'There has been no information that this man was a threat to anybody,' he said.

'If I was a family member, I'm sure I'd be thinking the same way.'

Mills said he has tried to get information from the police department about what happened to Mr Anthony, but they have turned him away.

Police Chief Joe Williams says the officer is on administrative leave while the SBI conducts its investigation.

He declined to comment further. Anthony's family said they hope the case is resolved soon.

Mr Anthony's niece, Porsha Anthony said: 'I'm sad. I lost an uncle.

'Hopefully it will be rectified so that not another family in Scotland Neck has to go through this'.

The State Bureau of Investigation in South Carolina said they are looking into Mr Anthony's death.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2065629/Police-killed-deaf-cyclist-stun-gun-failed-obey-instructions-stop.html

Slightly off topic, but since when is 61 considered elderly?


HEY HELEN KELLER! READ THE SIGN! IT SAYS STAY OFF THE GRASS!
Pow.
That cop is just stupid.

that is actually so sad im nearly crying :(

The cop didn't know, it's not entirely his fault.

The cop didn't know, it's not entirely his fault.
It did say that there were no reports of him being a threat to anyone though, so he had no reason to taze anything if this was true.

In the officer's defense the report claimed the call was for a "potentially drunk man". Drunken people can have a tendency to get violent if approached. When people disobey commands to stop, police are allowed to use force to take down any potential threats. He didn't know the man was deaf and he was just acting on protocol.

In the officer's defense the report claimed the call was for a "potentially drunk man". Drunken people can have a tendency to get violent if approached. When people disobey commands to stop, police are allowed to use force to take down any potential threats. He didn't know the man was deaf and he was just acting on protocol.
This is true but I doubt a drunk guy has the sense to actually ride a bike, and if he does, he isn't drunk enough to be hurting anyone.

Good thing cops here don't tase you for everything; they don't even have tasers here. They just take the drunk persons away and lock them up until they get sober. All done with hands, no weapons needed.

In the officer's defense the report claimed the call was for a "potentially drunk man". Drunken people can have a tendency to get violent if approached. When people disobey commands to stop, police are allowed to use force to take down any potential threats. He didn't know the man was deaf and he was just acting on protocol.
Even though if a guy was drunk, he would still respond in a way, that doesn't give them the task to use force, even if that was a guy that was drunk, they would have to approach the person instead of doing that since they didn't do anything on talking to or respond in a bad way.


Warning - while you were typing 2 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post.

Wow, I'm slow.

Slightly off topic, but since when is 61 considered elderly?

Since back when 18 was a ripe, old age.

This is true but I doubt a drunk guy has the sense to actually ride a bike, and if he does, he isn't drunk enough to be hurting anyone.

The report was that he fell off his bike, suggesting he was too drunk to ride it correctly, and you'd be surprised the kind of stuff that can happen with something as simple as a bike.

He was deaf, elderly, and mental?
Perhaps this was for the best...

This is pretty sad. I feel bad for the family.

that is sad
screw that policeman