June 30, 2009

Another Taser Death in America - Shawn Iinuma (California)


Fontana (CA) family of 37-year old Shawn Iinuma called '911' at 1:15 am this morning to get him some medical attention. Fire personnel treated him for an apparent methamphetamine overdose.

At some point during his medical treatment the police decided to unleash 50,000 volts of electrocity into Shawn Iinuma's body with their taser gun. Police say he turned violent and so they felt justified in killing him with their taser guns.


"While being treated..., Iinuma became violent with those assisting him. During a lengthy struggle, a taser was used by police. Thereafter, Iinuma was restrained and, after being restrained, stopped breathing."
He later died at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Fontana.

The early stages of this story are typical of the 24 taser-related deaths in America this year. The dead person is always villified by the police. Time will tell if the facts and circumstances match this initial statement by the police. In my view, Shawn Iinuma was a human being who did not deserve to be killed. His two children are now without a father.

I just keep wondering why people continue to die from these taser deaths without someone in congress taking notice?

2 comments:

Jim said...

I hope somebody will refer the family to the following stories, and then to an attorney outside of San Bernardino/Riverside Counties:

San Antonio police ordered not to Taser drug users http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/san-anto...

Jury awards $3 million in Texas stun gun death http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/jury-awa...

U.N.: Tasers Are A Form Of Torture http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/25/nat...

Canadian police restrict stun gun usehttp://bbvm.wordpress.com/2 009/02/15/canadian-police-rest rict-stun-gun-use/

UCSF study raises doubts about stun gun safety http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/ucsf-stu...

Police kill man, 17, with Taser http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/police-k...

Police Kill California Man with Taser http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/police-k...

Amnesty International urges moratorium on Taser use after CBC/Radio-Canada probe http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/amnesty-...

No answers forthcoming in Rialto policeĆ¢€™s use of Taser on boy http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/714/

karen said...

Jim, I am a family member and we don't know what to do now. Please email me @ksc123@comcast.net