World War II veteran, 95, died after police shot him with TASER and bean bag rounds

dailymail ^ | 7 August 2013 | By Anna Edwards

[dennisw]

John Wrana was being 'involuntarily' committed for medical treatment Brandished his cane and a shoehorn and police were called to care home

A 95-year-old world War II veteran died after being Tasered and hit with bean bag rounds by police for threatening care home staff - but his family insist he was killed unnecessarily.

Police say that John Wrana, who lived in a Chicago assisting living home, was brandishing his cane, a metal shoehorn and a knife before officers shocked him and hit him with bean bag rounds.

The senior citizen had been reported to authorities because he was being 'involuntarily' committed for medical treatment by staff at the Victory Centre, the Chicago Tribune reported.

He was behaving in 'combative' manner, by threatening staff with his cane and a shoehorn. Wrana was reportedly scheduled to undergo a risky surgery, and was apparently afraid to end up on life support.

When police arrived at Park Forest at around 8.45pm, they said he was ordered to surrender, but he refused to and continued to berate staff and threaten them.

Officers claim he then picked up a 6-inch knife, but his family's attorney alleges that care home staff did not see him do this, The Blaze reported.

He was then shocked by a Taser, hit with rounds of bean bag ammunition, and was taken into custody and then to hospital.

Staff claimed that he was sitting in a chair during the row, suggesting that the force used by authorities might not have been warranted, according to The Blaze.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Mr Wrana was conscious when he was taken to St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Chicago Heights.

But he was then moved to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died at about 2.30am.

[oh8eleven]

My late-father-in-law was 4th Marines. Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
It was the 4th Marine Division who fought those battles, not the "4th Marines" Regiment.
I'll bet he had some stories ... that is, if he ever said a word about them.
My dad was 9th Marines (3rd Marine Div - Guam, Bouganville) and despite the fact we were both combat vets, he never said a word to me about it.

[jmacusa]

I didn't say “regiment’’. I was under the impression Marines often just say,as an example , ‘5 Marines’’, it being understood, certainly between Marines anyway,that it means ‘’Division’’.

[greeneyes]

Never ever leave your loved one alone in a hospital or other facility, especially if the are very old or very young. They are too vulnerable, and people treat them like they don’t really have rights - just the obligation to obey their orders.

When my parents or children were in the hospital, I stayed with them 24/7. I didn’t go home till they went home. Same with the rehabe center. Our family took turns staying with them.

When they tried to tell me visiting hours were over, I just said, tell your supervisor I am not leaving, my parent gets too anxious, and is afraid to stay here with out me. I’ll be happy to give the supervisor my lawyer’s number.

[oh8eleven]

I didn't say “regiment’’. I was under the impression Marines often just say,as an example , ‘5 Marines’’
You did when you said, "My late-father-in-law was 4th. Marines." What you're saying is that he was with the 4th Marine Regiment.
You also said your brother was with 5th Marines, 3rd. Battalion. That unit would be known as 3/5, or from a regimental level - 5th Marines.

[jmacusa]

He was a lieutenant 5th. Marine Division, 3rd. Battalion, Lima Company.