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Man dies a week after being shot with Taser
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More from Local NewsA Simi Valley man died Wednesday evening more than a week after he was stunned with a Taser in a confrontation with police after he allegedly refused to get out of his vehicle.
Raymundo Guerrero Garcia, 33, was pronounced dead at 7:42 p.m. at Simi Valley Hospital.
Garcia was taken to the hospital in critical condition after he drove his vehicle through a fence during a chase with Simi Valley police.
The Ventura County Medical Examiner's-Coroner's Office performed an autopsy on Garcia on Thursday. Coroner officials, however, did not release a cause of death, saying more tests, including toxicology and microscopy tests were needed, said Michael Tellez, a deputy medical examiner.
Tellez said Garcia was pronounced brain dead about 11 a.m. Monday. He had been kept on life support until Wednesday evening, said Jeremy Brewer, a hospital spokesman.
Dave Livingston, a Simi Valley police sergeant, said some residents south of Sequoia Avenue and Corto Street called police on the night of May 15, telling them that someone was driving erratically through the neighborhood.
"We received reports that the driver was attempting to run down pedestrians," Livingston said.
When police arrived, the driver's vehicle collided with a police car, Livingston said.
Police ordered the driver to stop, using overhead lights and sirens as they pursued the vehicle, Livingston said.
Police said Garcia refused to stop and instead drove through a fence along the 800 block of Chelsea Court and into a yard.
They also said Garcia became combative and aggressively resisted efforts by officers to get him out of the vehicle.
Police then stunned Garcia with a Taser, Livingston said.
As they were handcuffing Garcia, police said they noticed he was in "medical distress."
"We went from trying to place someone in custody to having to perform CPR on them," Livingston said.
Livingston said Garcia was placed taken to Simi Valley Hospital where he was placed on life support.
He added the Police Department would investigate the circumstances surrounding Garcia's death just as it would look into anyone who dies after a confrontation with the department's police officers.
These investigations "are handled very similarly to an officer-involved shooting," Livingston said.
Garcia's death is the first instance in which someone has died after being stunned with a Taser during a confrontation with the department's police officers, Livingston said. The department first started using Tasers on Aug. 5, he said.
"It was a new, nonlethal weapon, and we felt it was a good tool for our officers to have," Livingston said.
Hundreds of Ventura County police officers are being armed with Taser guns. Police officials say the guns save lives even as the weapons have come under increased criticism.
More than 180 people since 1986 have died after being subdued by a stun gun, nearly all of them since 2000, the Associated Press reported in 2006.
Posted by surfmedic91 on May 25, 2007 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is a good tool and this incident shouldn't dictate whether or not the PD carries these. Maybe train the officers more intensely on first aid and EMT skills instead.
Posted by Simi_Valley93065 on May 25, 2007 at 11:30 a.m.
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Posted by george1234 on May 25, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about this, DON'T RESIST THE POLICE AND YOU WON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING TASED!
Posted by sydney on May 25, 2007 at 1:51 p.m.
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Posted by 2smokingbarrels on May 25, 2007 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its hard to live when all the police taser him at the same time.
Posted by 2smokingbarrels on May 25, 2007 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DrDNA
Just when I think you have become too conservative.... You totally redeeem yourself. I wonder which of the officers was holding the marshmellows and graham CRACKERS.
Posted by 2smokingbarrels on May 25, 2007 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Moga-What? This brings to mind a little country named IRAQ!
Posted by Tom_Johnston on May 25, 2007 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amazing how much people proceed on with facts not evidently in hand...
All the same, if I had the choice been the Taser or 9mm bullet, I'll take my chances on the Taser...but
When a police officer, in the line of duty, and in accordance with procedures pulls their pistol and shoots someone dead, it is understood the weapon is only fired when it is intended to use deadly force. Police are not authorized to "wound" suspects and bring them in. In this circumstance, with proper cause, both officer and Police Dept are frequently and properly held to have acted by procedure...
On the other hand, that Taser is intended to be a non-lethal weapon and the point is to bring the suspect down and into custody. When as above the officer uses the Taset by the book...and the suspect dies as a result of the Tasing...I'm not sure the Dept should get off the hook, and neither should the company making them. The difference here being that officers do NOT feel that there lives are threatened (as when a sidearm is drawn) and therefore the time is taken for an alternative that might not bring the suspect down (and spares the officer a fistfight too).
Deadly force is just that and non-lethal should be non-lethal..someone needs to be held to some account for that (and I don't mean the officer necessarily).
Posted by potatoebay on May 25, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was wondering when someone would play the race card and Dr. DNA did. The guy ran into the police car. I find it hard to believe if I did that, the cops would see me and say "Hey, that's a white guy, it's ok, let's let him go"....What a bunch of BS DR. DNA
Posted by InaHurry on May 25, 2007 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sydney you said it best. DrDNA you can't be serious. Read the article again. The guy was trying to plow down pedestrians and then smacked into a patrol car (not exactly what I would call a compliant individual). I don't care if the guy was brown, black, white, pink or purple, if he was trying to mow down innocent people then what do you expect? Thank you to the officers who diffused this dangerous situation.
Posted by feralgrandma on May 25, 2007 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There seems to be a lot of knee jerk reaction to a news story that is worded VERY carefully with the spin definitely siding with the PD. Let's wait for the autopsy and toxicology reports to surface and then we can all make intelligent statements about what actually went down. I don't know if Mr. Garcia is the criminal or the victim here but I am quite sure that he should not have died as a result of a "slow speed" chase. He resisted arrest - big freaken' wow.
Posted by mazterdje on May 25, 2007 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was I the only person that read the part that stated: "More than 180 people since 1986 have died after being subdued by a stun gun, nearly all of them since 2000"?? Am I the only one that seems to think that police officers have been given a licence to kill at will? I don't judge people by the color of there skin instead by probable cause without a reasonable doubt. I'm not a psychiatrist but what if this guy was maliciously or even accidentally given a hallucinate drug that caused an adverse mental reaction towards the police?? This could easily have been you or me.
Posted by Mrxaan on May 25, 2007 at 11:45 p.m.
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Posted by luvpaint on May 26, 2007 at 2:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THANK GOD WE LIVE IN AMERICA IMAGINE IF WE DID NOT
WE'D PROBABLEY BE SHOT FOR OUR COMMENTS.I THINK SOME OF YOU DON'T THINK BEFORE YOU WRITE,SOMETIMES
WE NEED TO PHRASE WORDS SO THAT WE DON'T OFFEND WITH OUR COMMENTS,NOT ALL PEOPLE THINK ALIKE.JUST MY OPINION.
Posted by mtnbkr on May 26, 2007 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DrDNA and radams73,
Maybe you two should get a room?
Posted by mtnbkr on May 26, 2007 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If any of you are interested, check out the LA Times article regarding this incident. The Times article refers to the suspect's priors - Two previous arrests, one conviction (he pled GUILTY) for cocaine possession. During this incident, he was charged again with cocaine possession. Does anyone see a pattern here? The Times also mentioned SVPD has used the taser during 16 arrests since August, during which time SVPD officers made over 2,000 arrests. That's less than 2 taser uses per month. Any pattern there? NOT! One more thought, why didn't the Star cite any such statistics? Too objective? Lacking spin? Now there's a pattern!
Posted by Simi_Valley93065 on May 26, 2007 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DrDNA ar you the reincarnated Johnny Cochran ????
Posted by domsar on May 27, 2007 at 2:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To all of you who think it is your place to judge with your genious comments like:
The Taser did not kill him, it was the methamphetamine and other drugs in his system.
As for training the police in first aid, they all ready are!!! The criminals need the training!!!! police car with lights and siren= pull over!! pretty simple.
SAY NO TO DRUGS"
or
"You Play you pay!!!"
maybe you should keep your mouths shut. Did you know him? Did you see the devistation his family has endured? I have. What if it happened to you? What if it was your brother, your dad, or your son? Would your postings be the same? I know they wouldnt be. You can think all you want, but I know for a fact his family has seen what you have said here, and it hurts them. Youve added to the pain one of the best families Ive known. I hope your remarks satisfied you, but for me, they've made me feel disgust for all of you. So while your judging him, knowing nothing of his life or circumstances, think of the terrible wake left behind. Think of his 3 daughters, who will grow up without a father because he was unnecesarily tasered.
He was not a criminal. Nor a bad man. He was a loving father, and a good person. We all get into trouble every now and then. No sin is bigger than another.
I guarantee that if ever you went through something like this, people just like you wouldnt think twice about condemning you... be the bigger person.
It's not your judgements that matter anyways.
Posted by Mrxaan on May 27, 2007 at 3:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If he wasn’t a criminal then way was he under the influence of methamphetamine and other drugs? Last time I checked that is a crime. If he wasn’t a criminal why is he driving erratically through the neighborhood and attempting to run down pedestrians? Then the police try and stop him he crashes into them and refuses to stop doesn’t follow the commands given to him thus causing him to be tased. What would you have done if you were the police? Easy to criticize when you’re not out having to deal with these types of people. I think we should all thank the police for what they did. They could have shot him from the start.
Sad to hear he had kids but hopefully those kids can now grow up with a more positive influence. I don’t surround myself with people like that. My family knows if they try and pull crap like that they can consider themselves out of my life.
I think the situation is unfortunate and wish the man could have gotten some help with his problems but he put himself in the situation.
JoeySnarf. Way to step up and accept responsibility for your actions. I wish more people could be like that. Good writing.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 27, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Masterdjie, Exactly what I was thinking. Took alot of reading about BS before that was brought up! That amount of people since 2000 (the year for those illeterate) is WAY too many!!! Something isn't working right here ! Not saying he deserved to be tazed but another question up above was about HOW MANY officers taz'd this guy?? It only takes one !
Mrxaan, Please have some compassion! This was a human being not a dog !
Feisty did you read anywhere where it said only one officer tas'd this man? Cause I must have missed that part. I would say if several Officers did then YES IT COULD FRY YOUR ORGANS !!!!!!
Joey, HOW can you call yourself a caring person when you think its ok to kill a car thief? Someone brawling outside? Very pathetic if you ask me!
Domsar, I agree 100%%%%%%%%
Mrxann,REALLY YOU DONT.........you dont know how you would react to a family member whom got caught up with drugs or on the other side of the law. Until it actually hits home, YOU dont know. Believe me I know.........
Joey glad to see you step up to the plate. But I havent ever seen anyones car get impounded for speeding???? Maybe no license, insurance, used in a crime? But not for speeding. Am I missing a few facts here? Believe me I KNOW I have had my sons car impounded and towed away at least three times !
Even my spouses once for some stupid reason that the cops shouldn't have even bothered with.....BUT thats another story.
Fiesty , Even though the story said he almost ran over people. WAS it the truth? Or just someone calling the cops to get them there faster? I also didn't read he intentionally hit the officers patrol car. Everyone needs to stop juding here.
The story isnt about his innocent of guilt.....its about WHY DID HE DIE ......from being tasered? That is what gets me. I would like to find out the real truth as to the facts of the taser. Did it actually kill him? How many officers tasered him? Alot of questions.
And you bet my prayers and Condolences go out to his family!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Mrxaan on May 27, 2007 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mazterdje: Out of those 180 people how many of them were under the influence of a narcotic? Look how many police officers and other volunteers have been tased.
Posted by royhalter on May 28, 2007 at 4:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Domsar
If it were one of my family members I would be very disappointed and if you fight the police, attempt to run down people, and crash into the police you would be banished from my family the guy is/was a LOSER!
For all of you that support the police departments actions good job.
NOW
For the rest of you, put yourself in the officers shoes go on a ride along do something then sit at home and write your illiterate comments because you know nothing about the job and should have no right making a remark about it. I know for a fact and have witnessed it that the taser has SAVED lives. Officers have spared lives of suspects with guns simply by tasing them vs. shooting them.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 28, 2007 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mrxaan, Still yet the numbers are too high! Sure I have seen Officers get tas'd to see how it feels. But We are talking about how many taser guns were used on this guy? Maybe enough to fry him!!!
Royhalter, Your right as far as Officers being saved by this device. Not saying it doesn't work. The question was HOW MANY OFFICERS TAS"D HIM?????
It hasn't been proven he actually tried to run down people. Give me witness's willing to testify.
Its also sad that you think everyone in your family will never screw up in life. To Disown your own family member instead of trying to steer them on the right path and show love and compassion. People make mistakes in life. Were human ! And really you CANT say what you would do unless it has actually happened to your family........ Has it??????
Posted by littlepowers on May 28, 2007 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm rethinking the use of a Taser at all...
If a person refuses to get out of a vehicle or obey the officers... but are PASSIVE at that time, then an officer shouldn't be able to use a taser.
It's the good ole' theory of "dead weight" (a person lying on the ground not putting up any resistance nor cooperating being dragged into a cop car.
Just comparing the two. But I think they should refrain from use of a taser unless someone is actively posing a threat... not just refusing to cooperate by passively resisting.
Posted by Simi_Valley93065 on May 28, 2007 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he was not here illegaly he would still be alive today !!!
Posted by mtnbkr on May 29, 2007 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another ignorant tid-bit from DrDNA (aka: Dr. "Doesn't Know Anything")....The jury that aquitted the LAPD cops on the Rodney King case was a VENTURA COUNTY JURY, having only 3 Simi Valley residents (out of 12 jurors and 4 alternates). The TRIAL was held in Simi Valley. Get your facts straight instead of spreading ignorance....
Posted by royhalter on May 29, 2007 at 11:01 p.m.
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Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 31, 2007 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Joey, No I DIDNT have it towed. Misunderstood my comment. But yes it was for those types of things, the same as yours. Once when he left it at his girlfriends house, he had just gotten it. She had the key in case she had to move it from the driveway. BUT she took it for a ride ! And hit someone. So yes they came and took it away cause the stupid girlfriend didn't stop at the scene! Glad she is out of his life now !!!!! Joey, no that is not what the article was about. IF it went down as YOU say then I would stand behind the Officers. And WHAT is a TARD??????? is that some wierd name your calling me??? Please apologize ! That was innapropriate!!!!
DrDNA , I agree with you on that comment !!
Did you see the show on TV the other day about the lady that had a diabetic attack while driving with her children? She was out of it and incoherent. She was driving 80 miles per hour. Her 8 year old got on the floorboard of the car and pressed the brake pedal down. Even after the car came to a stop the Mother being so out of it was still trying to start the car....... People do not always know the circumstances of every accident. Thank God in this case no one was injured and the child called 911 from her Mothers cell phone and got help. This child is a Hero ! We never know all the circumstances to every case. This may be what happened to this man also. Lets wait and see....
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 2, 2007 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gaelforce,Your correct. But I would sill like to know the reports of his death. The taser hasn't been used that much and we may not know everything we need to know about it.
And just to make sure is was only tased by one officer! Thats all.........
Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 4, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
meant to say make sure he wasn't........
Posted by cowboyrob on June 10, 2007 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a pity that such a quality individual who selfishly chose to drive under the influence, evade police and resist arrest had to go. Although I didn't know him (lucky me), I know enough to hypothesize that anyone with 3 daughters who is willing to do all that he did is not an upstanding citizen. It's just too bad the police now have to pay twenty bucks to replace the Taser cartridge they used on this guy. And to "domsar" you are 100% right. You're buddy being Tased was unnecessary...if only he would have complied with officer requests.
Posted by rodrigmr on June 14, 2007 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Domsar knows whats up !!!! I agree with domsar 100%%%%% takes a lifeless,heartless individual in order not to feel empathy for the family or Garcia's child!!!
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