Man tasered by sheriff’s deputy dies in custody; probe launched

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has launched an investigation into the death of a 36-year-old Victorville man that followed his being stunned with a taser multiple times during his arrest.

The man, Dante Parker, was arrested shortly after sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about an attempted break-in about 5 p.m. Tuesday in the 13000 block of Bucknell Court in Victorville.

When a deputy arrived, the person who called 911 identified Parker as he rode away from the house on a bicycle, authorities said.

The deputy tried to arrest Parker on suspicion of breaking into a residence, but he became uncooperative and combative, the Sheriff’s Department said. A physical struggle ensued, during which the deputy stunned Parker with a taser multiple times.

Authorities said the deputy continued to struggle with Parker for several more minutes until back-up arrived.

Eventually, Parker -- who, according to the department, appeared to “possibly be under the influence of an unknown substance” -- was handcuffed and placed in the backseat of a patrol unit.

It was there that deputies noticed Parker was sweating profusely and having difficulty breathing, prompting them to call for medical aid, authorities said. Parker was transported by ambulance to the Victor Valley Global Hospital where he died while receiving treatment, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Parker’s cause of death has yet to be determined pending the outcome of an autopsy by the Riverside County coroner’s office, which handles autopsies in in-house San Bernardino County investigations.

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