Santa Rosa Officers Tase Man Who Indicated Desire To Be Shot By Police
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) -- A 49-year-old man was arrested in Santa Rosa early Sunday morning after officers fired a Taser stun gun and another non-lethal device at him, police said.
Officers responded at 1:18 a.m. to a reported disturbance in the area of Seventh and Wilson streets and tried to contact Edward Ballard, a Santa Rosa resident, according to police.
Ballard allegedly refused to follow the officers' orders and started walking away quickly while continually putting a hand into his clothing and making a motion that appeared as if he was reaching for a firearm, police said.
The officers maintained their distance while giving commands to stop before one eventually fired several rounds from a device less lethal than a gun at Ballard. Despite being struck, he did not appear affected and continued walking away, police said.
Another officer fired a Taser at Ballard, which caused him to fall to the ground. Officers were then able to handcuff him without further incident, according to police.
Ballard did not have a firearm but made statements about wanting to be shot by police. He was treated at a hospital for minor injuries before being booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of obstructing an officer and a parole violation, police said.
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