The cop wasn’t in the wrong. The video has been edited and doesn’t show the way the suspect was acting. He was confrontational and throwing things off the counter in front of several customers, one of who had a child a few feet from the suspect when he walked in and started yelling.
You CAN see the point at which the suspect gets tasered in the video at the link, and plainly see that there is no reaction by the suspect at all. The cop’s assertion that he didn’t think the taser was working is valid.
Always be suspicious of the news media. I’ve heard much more about this case since I live here in Charlotte, and I can tell you that for a DC station to pick up this story and cut out the part of the video where the suspect is clearly threatening is a blatant smear job on the officer.
I would have to learn more about how the people are trained for taser. Is it “okay” to hit someone for 37 seconds with all that voltage? Especially since the cop says the kid wasn’t moving.
I think it is wrong to automatically defend or accuse a police officer of wrongdoing. Alas, they are all too human, and can do stupid and evil things, just as civilians can.
Something everyone should consider in these situations. Whether you're a cop-basher or cops-are-always-right type, nothing is ever what it may seem in a news report. I've seen the news media get it wrong more than right in many cases. Add to that, they will only give you portions of a story leaving out relevant details. You can't make judgments about the guilt or innocence of cops or criminals based on the news so easily.
Why didn't the kid just cease his threatening behaviour upon seeing the officer?
The kid caused the situation and also caused his own death.