As Oregon State Police investigate the shooting death of 18-year old Elias Ruiz… many are wondering if his death was preventable.
The non-lethal taser used on Ruiz was, for reasons unknown, ineffective… and yet Medford Police are continuing to use tasers tonight.
Days after the death of Elias Ruiz… the memorial outside the family home on Pennsylvania Avenue continues to grow… but so to do the questions.
Chief among them, why weren’t officers able to tase Ruiz effectively
‘Nothing’s 100% effective, not just tasers.’
It’s too early to say why the taser didn’t take Ruiz down… but Chief George says they’re still used by MPD as one of their best options for non-lethal force.
‘It is never the same circumstance or situation, certainly the same conditions or variables that play in to it every time.’
Sgt. Mike Budreau has used his taser once in the line of duty… it didn’t work.
‘He was in a full run, it struck his clothing which were thick as it was winter… the clothes were draped behind him.’
Videos online show tasers working as designed… and also failing.
While there are more questions than answers at this time… an 18 year old man is dead and it’s unclear if an effective taser might have prevented that.
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