Saturday, August 8, 2015

Only in the Great United States: Man dies after being tased by police, given sedative by EMS personnel in Hartford, Connecticut


Posted: August 08, 2015
By Rachel Rooney

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -

Connecticut State Police are investigating after a man who was tased by Hartford police Friday night died.

According to investigators, officers responded to 38 Kelsey Street around 8:30 p.m. to assist the Hartford Mobile Crisis Team with a medical-related disturbance.

During the response police said Matthew Russo, 26, became combative with emergency medical technicians, police officers and crisis team personnel.

A Hartford police officer deployed their assigned Taser on Russo who continued to be combative.

Police said after the Taser was deployed EMS personnel were able to administer a sedative to Russo. Russo then began to experience difficulty breathing. EMT's on scene began to immediately perform medical aid and Russo was transported to Hartford Hospital where he later died.

State Police Western District Major Crimes responded to the scene and have assumed the investigation. In additional the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also responded and will conduct an autopsy on Russo to determine his manner of death