HAMPTON
The death of a sword-wielding man who was Tasered by police in December was ruled accidental by the Medical Examiners Office, according to a Hampton Police news release.
On Dec. 10 about 11 p.m. police were called to the home of Hatchel Pete Adams III, 36, in the 1st block of Overlook Court. Police attempted to make contact, but he refused to come to the door. Officers eventually gained entry to the home after calling a family member who came out to the house.
Inside, police found Adams armed with a Samurai-style sword. He began swinging it at officers and so police used a Taser. Adams was able to free himself from the Taser probes and continued to swing the sword at officers, the news release said. A second Taser was used and police tried again to take him into custody, but he stopped breathing.
Despite calling medics and beginning CPR, he later died at a hospital about 1:15 a.m.
It was the first such reported death since officers there began carrying the devices in 2003, a Hampton police spokeswoman said in December.
Experts from the University of Miami, who specialize in excited delirium, helped the Medical Examiners Office investigate the cause of death.
The findings indicate that the death was ruled accidental and the cause was “excited delirium” in addition to mental illness, methamphetamine use, obesity and the use of the Taser by police.
The officers were placed on administrative leave, but have since returned to full duty.
Fascinating. You’d think meth would keep you thin, wouldn’t you?