Man Dies After Police Shoot Him With Taser

A man believed to be under the influence of PCP died Sunday about two hours after being shot in the back by police with a Taser stun-gun, authorities said.

Robert Zapata, 37, died at County-USC Medical Center after he developed breathing problems and lapsed into unconsciousness during a struggle with police at his parents’ Boyle Heights home.

The Taser gun, which is considered non-lethal by police but has contributed to some deaths, fires a dart that delivers a 50,000-volt electric jolt intended to stun its target.

Called to Home

Lt. Charles Higbie said police were called to the Zapata home after Robert Zapata tried to choke his mother, fought off his father and then began breaking furniture. Zapata was shot in the back with two darts by Officer Anthony Karg after he fought off several officers and displayed “superhuman strength” typical of a PCP user, police said.

“The officers went to the second-story bedroom and saw Robert trying to swim in the debris on the floor,” Higbie said. “They thought he was under the influence of PCP.”

The officers said the Taser fire did not stop Zapata, who continued to fight them off after he was struck. However, Zapata exhibited breathing difficulties and lost consciousness after two officers forced him to the floor and held their feet against his back, police said.

Paramedics called to the scene administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation but were unable to revive him, and Zapata died within two hours. An autopsy was scheduled.