19-Year-Old Dies After Being Tasered By Police in San Bernardino

In mid-October, the Los Angeles Times reported another Taser-related death. In this case, San Bernardino police were apparently called to respond to a fight between three people at a board and care facility. After breaking up the fight, a 19 year-old man became “combative,” and the police used a Taser to control him. The young man then had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital. An hour later, he was pronounced dead.

Police officers across the United States carry Taser stun guns. Their general purpose is to temporarily disable a civilian who appears to be out of control. But Tasers are believed to have caused more than 150 deaths since 2001.

According to the Slate.com Explainer, Tasers are different from standard stun guns because they can shoot someone from a long distance – up to 20 feet away. Standard stun guns can only be used while up very close to the target. Tasers send an electric pulse with around 50,000 volts, which lasts for about five seconds. The electric pulse essentially gives the target a very intense shock, which causes pain, muscle contraction, and temporary paralysis. People shot with Tasers tend to fall down, and can sometimes suffer serious brain injury as a result of falling and hitting their heads. According to heart experts, Tasers can also cause cardiac arrest.