Crime

• Jul 16, 2007 8:58 pm US/Mountain
• Digg | Facebook | E-mail

  Close WindowE-mail This Page

  Man Dies After Being Shot With TASER In Denver

  Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

  ---

  • Recipient E-mail:* 
  • • Your Name:* 
    • Your E-mail:* 
  • Add a Message:
  •   Send me a copy of this e-mail.

  • Type the characters in this picture:* Click here to refresh with new letters

  ---

  The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

  Send E-mail

  | Print

Man Dies After Being Shot With TASER In Denver

Police Investigate Minutes Leading Up To Death

Contact reporter Rick Sallinger at rsallinger@cbs.com

DENVER (CBS4) ― A real estate agent died early Monday morning after being shot by an officer with a TASER in Denver, police said.

The suspect was reportedly acting out of control in the area of Yale and Joslin near Wadsworth at about 5 a.m. when officers tried to subdue him. He vandalized cars, broke windows and caused other damage, police said.

"He basically charged the officers and became combatant," Sonny Jackson with Denver police said. "The officers then used a TASER to subdue him."

He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center and died a short time later. Officials did not indicate what might have caused the man's death.

"They kept saying, 'Get down, let's make it easy on you, get down,' and you would hear him crash to the sidewalk," a witness said.

Relatives identified the man as Albert Romero, 47. They said he was a real estate agent, religious and a good man.

"He loved his kids, taking them fishing," said Bobby Rivera, Romero's step-son.

Some family members criticized the police.

"I'd rather have them use something that will take him down and not kill him or hurt him," Romero's niece Annette Rivera said. "Even police officers using guns, they don't have to shoot somebody first to kill them. They can shoot somebody in the arm or leg and take them down."

TASER and stun guns have been controversial in the Denver area. Last year, Ryan Wilson died after a TASER shooting in Lafayette. In Glendale, Glen Leyba died after he was TASERED by police, but a heart attack was ruled the cause. In Monday's incident, it may take time for test results to determine exactly why Romero died.

The American Civil Liberties Union said Monday's case highlights that there are still unresolved questions regarding the safety of TASERS.

Several prescription bottles were found in Romero's car. It's not known if he was on any medication at the time.

Additional Resources

• A fund has been set up for Romero's family. Visit any First Bank to make a donation.
  

(© MMVII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)