A Redwood City police officer used a Taser multiple times on a domestic violence suspect who died after a struggle with officers on Monday, according to Bay City News, citing San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
The DA’s office is investigating the death and said it’s not clear yet what role, if any, the Taser use played in the death of Ramsey Saad, 55.
The incident has led to four Redwood City police officers being placed on administrative leave, per protocol.
Police were called about 7:20 p.m. Monday to the 500 block of Lanyard Drive, where a neighbor said Saad was assaulting his 83-year-old mother and threatening to kill her in front of the residence, according to police. Attempts by neighbors to physically restrain Saad were unsuccessful, and he attacked the first officer who tried to provide aid to his mother, police said. Additional officers who arrived on scene attempted to detain him but he continue to violently resist, police said.
During the struggle, Officer Oscar Poveda deployed a Taser on Saad “two or three times,” Wagstaffe told Bay City News. Eventually, Saad fell unconscious and was taken to a hospital, where he died. The other officers placed on leave due to the incident were identified as Officers Matthew Cydzik, Brian Simmons and Daniel Di Bona.
The incident remains under investigation, and a coroner’s report will likely take weeks to complete, Wagstaffe said.
