Dante Parker Tased: Father Of 5 Dies After Police Shooting With Stun Gun

Dante Parker, a father of five children, was tased and died in police custody in California on Tuesday for an alleged attempted burglary. In the wake of the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, Parker’s family, buoyed by a public outcry, cites excessive use of force and police brutality of another man of color.

The death of Dante Parker was preceded by a 911 call of a possible crime in the 13000 block of Bucknell Court in Victorville. Reportedly, police arrived on the scene moments later and met with a woman who identified the father of five, who later died in custody, as the suspect who tried to burglarize a home, according to the LA Times.

A female officer caught up with Parker, who was riding on a bicycle near the address given to the 911 emergency operator. During the exchange with the burglary suspect and the officer, a struggle ensued, and the officer eventually tased him several times with a stun gun. Reports suggest the struggle continued even when other officers arrived as backup, but he was handcuffed, taken into custody, and placed in the back of a police cruiser.

Before departing from the scene, police observed Parker breathing and perspiring heavily. He was then transported to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead a short time later. At this time, it’s unknown what the man’s cause of death was, but family members say Parker was killed as a result of being tased unnecessarily by San Bernadino police officers.

Additional information from investigators say the person identified as the burglary suspect appeared to be under the influence. However, there is no mention what kind of substance is suspected or if there was any impairment at all. Nonetheless, toxicology reports will likely rule out or confirm if Parker was in a stable frame of mind at the time of the fatal encounter.

Following Dante Parker’s death after being stunned with a taser, police officials say he was “uncooperative and combative.” However, those that knew the beloved father of five children — a pressman at a local newspaper — painted a starkly different picture.

“He was a big, gentle guy. So I don’t understand it. I’m at a loss for words. I miss him already,” said his father Darrell Parker. We do everything together, as a family. He’s a big part of our family. He’s really going to be missed,” said his sister Youree Stewart.”

Given the current climate in Ferguson, Missouri, over the police shooting of teenager Michael Brown, this new development is unsettling to many, who are aligned against the alleged aggression by police officers against black males in America. It brings up reminders of the shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman and the recent choke hold death of Eric Garner in New York.

With Dante Parker tased and dead at the hands of police,it will undoubtedly spark more debate on the need for stun guns, training, and engaging those suspected of a crime.

[Image via NBCLA screengrab]