(Updated: 5:30 p.m.) Man Dies After Being Tasered, Officer Placed on Administrative Leave

By Local Editor Jason Vallee.

(Updated: 5:30 p.m.)
The Connecticut State Police Central Crime Squad is investigating the death of a man who, Meriden police said, entered a lot behind police headquarters, admitted to using drugs and proceeded to attack officers and medical personnel when they attempted to provide assistance.

Police said responding officers used a stun gun to subdue the man after he became combative for an extended period. The man was eventually taken into MidState Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said.

The name of the man was not released pending notification to family. State police still had not released the name as of 5:30 p.m.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. after officers with the Meriden Police Department encountered a man who had come into the gated police-only parking lot behind the department, Det. Lt. Mark Walerysiak said.

State police said in a revised press release Monday afternoon that the man initially requested assistance.

“He was exhibiting paranoiac symptoms and characteristics consistent with drug use,” Walerysiak said. “In fact, the male admitted to having smoked crack and swallowed cocaine earlier in the evening.”

Officers attempted to help the man and began to put him in the ambulance when the subject began to “flail and scream” and was yelling about forgiveness and how people were watching him, Meriden police said.

Walerysiak said the subject was eventually handcuffed, but continued the out of control behavior and began spitting saliva and blood at officers and EMTs, attempting to bite them and refusing to calm.

At that point, according to the police report, officers were forced to use a stun gun to subdue him. While in handcuffs, Walerysiak said the man grabbed the stun gun and refused to let go for some time. It was unclear if he received an electric shock while grabbing the stun gun.

Officer Jeff Witkin, the police officer who used the stun gun, was placed on administrative leave while the case is under investigation, Vance said on Monday afternoon.

The subject was eventually taken to MidState Medical Center, the police report said, but continued to fight officers even after they arrived at the hospital.

“He continued fighting while being placed into a hospital room,” Walerysiak said. “Some time after the subject arrived at the hospital, medical staff indicated that the male had died.”

The Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Squad was called in to conduct an investigation at the request of Meriden Police Chief Jeffry Cossette and the New Haven State's Attorney.

It is regular practice for state police to investigate anytime a local officer fires gunshots, but Cossette requested the state investigation due to use of the stun gun in the incident.

Vance said the name of the man will continue to be withheld pending notification of next of kin. The body has been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington for autopsy.

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