Wilmington suspect dead after being shot with Taser

A 28-year-old Wilmington man is dead after he was shot with a Taser during a tussle with Wilmington police.

Police tried to stop the man for a vehicle registration violation near the area of W. 25th and N. Madison streets around 8 p.m. Sunday. They say he failed to stop and led them on a high-speed chase that was eventually called off out of concern for public safety. 

A short time later, police got reports of a reckless driver in the area of Augustine Cutoff. Officers found the suspect on foot in a business driveway in the 1700 block of Wawaset Street. They say the suspect was combative, refused to comply with commands and started fighting with officers. During the fight, one officer shot the man with a Taser, then he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

While sitting on the ground, the suspect appeared to go into cardiac arrest. Officers removed his handcuffs, started CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator. They called for paramedics, who took the man to Wilmington Hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police say the investigation into the incident is ongoing.  They will not release the suspect’s identity until they notify his next of kin.