Inquest into teen’s death concludes Winnipeg police’s use of Taser was ‘appropriate’

WINNIPEG — An inquest report into the death of a 17-year-old has shown police used appropriate force when using a stun gun.

Michael Langan was Tasered during a confrontation with police on William Avenue in July 2008.

Police, who were investigating a theft, said Langan had a knife and refused to put it down. Officers then fired a Taser at his chest, which caused him to fall on the ground. The teenager was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died.

This was the first time someone died in Winnipeg after being hit by a stun gun by police.

In 2010, the chief medical examiner on the case requested an inquest into the circumstances surrounding Langan’s death. The report was released Thursday morning.

READ MORE: Taser death inquest begins in Winnipeg

“The death of such a young man was tragic, but nothing in the actions of the police or paramedics contributed to the death,” the report said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The death of such a young man was tragic, but nothing in the actions of the police or paramedics contributed to the death," the report said.

“The use of the Taser ECD was appropriate given the threat presented and the failure of Mr. Langan to respond to the police by dropping the knife. The officers responded to the threat in an appropriate fashion.”

The inquest said Langan’s death wasn’t caused by the Taser, but he died from a cardiac arrest as a result of “exertion and stress following a pursuit”, combined with a type of heart rhythm problem.

The inquest report also concluded no recommendations to prevent similar deaths.