July 14, 2008

A burglary suspect died after an officer shocked him with a Taser gun late Sunday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Houston police said the man got into a scuffle with officers after a burglary at a home on Galaxy Street near Locksley Road at about 11:55 p.m.

Investigators said they found broken glass and three men were inside the home. The men were detained for questioning.

Police said the man kept running when they told him to stop.

An officer fought with the man as he tried to arrest him, detectives said. Another officer went to help and ended up shocking the man with a Taser gun twice, detectives said.

The man was arrested and paramedics were called to check him out, officials said. He was rushed to a hospital and died, police said.

The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine if the man died as a direct result of being shocked.

Houston police started using Taser guns in 2004. Officers have deployed their Taser guns more than 1,600 times and no deaths have been attributed to their use.

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