Taser sends naked man into cardiac arrest

Wed., Oct. 13, 2010

Associated Press

BILLINGS – A man who was caught running down a Billings street naked is in critical condition after his heart stopped while he was in police custody.

Police say officers shocked him with a stun gun four times, including once at the county jail. The man, whose name has not been released, went into cardiac arrest a short time later.

The Billings Police Department and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s office said an off-duty sheriff’s deputy was driving when he saw the man run down the street and enter a home late Sunday. The deputy jumped out of his van and gave chase.

Authorities say the man came out of the home and drove off in the deputy’s van. The deputy caught up with the vehicle after it hit a parked car, by which time other officers had arrived. The news release says they were forced to shoot the man three times with a Taser.

Authorities say the man continued to fight at the jail and was Tasered again. Jail medical staff determined the man was stable, but he went into cardiac arrest a short time later.

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