The Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo.- No drugs or alcohol were found in a 22-year-old man who died after being hit by a Taser during an arrest last month, the Boulder County Coroner said Thursday.
Ryan Michael Wilson, 22, died of an irregular heartbeat associated with being blasted by the stun gun coupled with a narrow heart artery and physical exertion, Coroner Thomas Faure said in a statement. The man’s father blames the device for his son’s death.
“He had never shown any kind of indication at all that there might be a problem with his heart, and he had numerous physical exams,” Jack Wilson said. “I’ve heard of athletes who passed out on the basketball court and died from heart problems, but my son was hit by a Taser and that’s what killed him, in my opinion.”
Wilson died Aug. 4 after running at least a half-mile from Lafayette police, who suspected Wilson of growing marijuana.
Steve Tuttle, spokesman for stun gun manufacturer TASER International Inc., said the company was disappointed with the findings.