The Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla. — It took four police officers and several shots from a Taser gun this morning to take down an unruly drunk who attacked an officer in downtown Orlando, sending him to the hospital with minor injuries.
Orlando Police spokesman officer Jim Young said the policeman, a member of the department’s K-9 unit and whose name was not released, left Orlando Regional Medical Center before 9:30 a.m. after being treated for minor head injuries.
Officials at the department described this morning’s incident as a “knock down drag out.”
“It was an absolute fight. This guy fought hard. He was Tased four times and it had no influence on him,” said Lt. Laura Houston. “I don’t know what he was on.”
Houston said it all started shortly before 3 a.m., when an officer spotted a disabled vehicle on the corner of Anderson Street and Orange Avenue. Three men were inside the car, including the driver, who was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to jail while his passengers remained at the scene. Other officers arrived to assist in the traffic stop.
While the arresting officer called a towing agency to remove the vehicle from the intersection, one of the vehicle’s passengers, George E. Lawson, 25, (picture) began yelling profanities at him.
“He [Lawson] then came over and started banging on the car as it was being towed,” Houston said. “At that point, the officer decided to place him under arrest.”
As the officer attempted to handcuff Lawson, he turned on the officer and started to beat him. The other officers tried to control Lawson in vain and called the department for backup.
Police fired at least four Taser shots at Lawson. Another officer arrived on the scene and was able to help the other policemen tackle Lawson and place him under arrest, Houston said.
Jail records indicate Lawson was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and disorderly intoxication, among other charges. He was booked at the Orange County Jail after receiving medical attention at Florida Hospital South for a facial laceration suffered during the brawl.
Lawson’s bond is set at $1,650.
Copyright 2007 The Orlando Sentinel