Man Shot With Police Stun Gun Dies

An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death of a 37-year-old Pasadena man who led police on an car chase through three cities, tumbled down a hill, dived into a pool and was shot with an electric stun gun.

Police spokesmen gave the following account of what happened: The incident began at 11:30 p.m. Monday when Michael James Bryant flagged down a San Marino officer at a service station. Bryant’s bizarre behavior led to the officer to suspect that he was under the influence of narcotics. But before the officer could investigate, Bryant jumped into a car and drove away, striking the officer with his car.

The officer, who was not seriously hurt, chased Bryant along San Marino, Pasadena and Los Angeles city streets. At one point, Bryant rammed another San Marino police car to escape from a cul-de-sac.

When Bryant stopped his car at South Avenue 58 in Highland Park, he charged officers approaching him and was struck with a baton. Bryant ran and officers pursued him until he jumped into a swimming pool at an apartment complex.

Bryant refused to come out of the pool until he was shot with a Taser gun. He continued to struggle as officers handcuffed him, put on plastic leg restraints and placed him in the back of a patrol car. When he ceased struggling, officers summoned paramedics who took him to County USC-Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.