ABC27 WHTM Man dies after being shot with police Taser gun twice

Man dies after being shot with police Taser gun twice

State police are investigating an incident in which a man died after York City police officers twice used a stun gun to take him into custody.

Trooper Michele Davis said one of the officers had stopped a driver for running a red light at Belvedere and Market streets Wednesday afternoon when a passenger, 30-year-old Howard Cooke, jumped out of the vehicle and ran.

Davis said another officer who responded for backup chased Cooke and used a Taser, but it had no effect.

Cooke was eventually captured but resisted arrest. Davis said one of the officers then used a "drive stun" to subdue him. A "drive stun" is used by holding the Taser against the body without firing the projectiles.

Davis said at some point after Cooke was in custody, he became unresponsive and was taken to York Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said Cooke, of York, had outstanding warrants out for his arrest. The driver, a 42-year-old from Dover, did not flee and was detained by officers.

Two city officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Some neighbors praised the officers for jumping into action.

"There's a reason why he ran," Richard Vink said. "If he was wanted by the law for some drug thing or whatever, it's his problem."

Other neighbors said police went too far.

"He was already on the ground," Laquaisa Clay said, "For them to Tase him again, that's not right. They took his life."

"If a person is resisting arrest, and the officer feels like their safety or the safety of the community is at risk, they're going to take the measures they need in order to gain the arrest," Davis said.

Police said that in past deaths following the use of a stun gun, the deceased either had a pre-existing condition or drugs were involved. Davis said Cooke's wife reported that he had severe asthma.

An autopsy was performed Thursday morning, but investigators are awaiting laboratory test results before releasing a report. The results could take up to two months or more.