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Man Dead After Arrest - TASER

Posted by: euser
August 08, 2006
Topic: Personal Injury / Car Accidents / Wrongful Death

A Siler City man died early Sunday after being arrested and subdued by officers at the end of a 40-mile chase through Chatham and Randolph counties, according to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office.
Shannon Johnson, 37, of 939 Edwards Hill Church Road in Siler City developed breathing difficulties and lost consciousness shortly after being shocked with a Taser gun used by officers trying to subdue him, the department said. Emergency medical personnel administered CPR, but Johnson was pronounced dead at Randolph County Hospital.

At 5:08 a.m. Sunday, law enforcement received a call that someone was acting erratically near the Pittsboro courthouse traffic circle at U.S. 64 Business and U.S. 15-501.  At some point, deputies decided to use a Taser to shock him. After a struggle, officers handcuffed Johnson until medical personnel arrived.  A little while later, Johnson started to have trouble breathing and lost consciousness, Blankenship said.  Emergency medical personnel administered CPR, but Johnson was pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:30 a.m.
Four Chatham County sheriff's deputies were involved in the incident and were already scheduled to be off work for four days, Blankenship said. By the time they return, the office should have an idea if any disciplinary actions will be needed, he said.

http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/463709.html



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