Alton man dies after taser incident near West Alton
May 8, 2008
West Alton
At about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, James S. Wilson, 19, had been physically fighting with his 22-year-old sister at Piasa Pantry in West Alton when the store clerk called 911.
It is unclear what the fight was regarding, but Wilson’s sister sustained some facial injuries. They had been traveling in a car driven by their mother. All three are from the 2000 block of North Henry Street in Alton, Illinois.
As the deputy arrived on the scene, the mother and son were leaving the area in their vehicle and the deputy conducted a traffic stop. Wilson’s sister remained at Piasa Pantry in an attempt to separate the siblings and end the fight.
Wilson exited the car and approached the deputy. After being repeatedly asked to stop, Wilson kept approaching in an aggressive manor. At that point, the deputy used his taser on Wilson.
A backup officer arrived and realized Wilson was having trouble breathing. Paramedics were called and CPR was performed. Wilson was taken to Christian Northeast Hospital, where he had a faint pulse and died soon after.
Was Wilson’s death due to tasering?
Authorities are waiting on autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Until results arrive, it is unknown whether foreign substances or other health conditions may have contributed to his death.
“There has never been a death directly attributed to the use of a taser, to my knowledge,” said Lt. David Tiefenbrunn of the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town