HOUSTON — A man has died after officers used a stun gun on him while responding to an exposure and public lewdness call in southeast Houston, police said Sunday morning.
This happened on Sageleaf Lane, near Beamer Road south of Beltway 8. The Houston Police Department said officers were dispatched around 7 a.m. Neighbors had reported that a man was outside naked and yelling.
"I just looked through the window and sure enough he was out in the street," one neighbor told KHOU 11.
Police said the man did live on the street, but officers found him on the back patio of a neighbor's home. His family identified him as Edgin Tavera.
Tavera was reportedly uncooperative and officers initially backed off and called for backup and paramedics. HPD said they believe the man had a history of long-time narcotic use.
When backup arrived, officers tried to take Tavera into custody. There was a brief fight between the man and officers before the stun gun was used. Officers managed to put Tavera in handcuffs. HPD said within a minute of being in handcuffs, the man became unresponsive.
Paramedics tried to treat Tavera at the scene but weren't able to revive him. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. His cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner's office.
The incident is being investigated by HPD's internal affairs office and special investigators unit.
Watch the update police gave at the scene: