Deontae Faison's family is demanding accountability after he fell into a coma following an encounter with East Bay Regional Park police, who Tased him while he was in the water. "He was Tased in water in his back. My brother is fighting for his life," shared Tenaya Sims, Faison's sister. Now on life support at Alameda Hospital, Faison's loved ones gathered in downtown Oakland, devastated by what was supposed to be a carefree day outdoors.
According to Faison's family, he was at the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline with a friend on April 5 when park police approached, noticing expired tags on his car. Faison fled, eventually entering the water near Oakland International Airport. The family's attorney, Jamir Davis, explained that an officer Tased Faison while he was knee-deep, causing him to struggle in the water for about half an hour, occasionally calling for help. Davis criticized the officers' actions, stating, "It shouldn't take an attorney to tell you that electricity and water don't mix," adding that police "were bold enough to do that but not brave enough to jump in and save him."
His sister, Lashaunte Flores, questioned the need for such extreme measures, asking, "Where is he going for them to have to tase him?" The family, deeply concerned, fears the long-term impact on Faison's health, with Sims expressing uncertainty about his recovery: "We're not sure if my 34-year-old brother is going to make it. And if he does, they're telling us that it definitely will not be the same."
Despite the family's pleas, officials from the park district and county have declined to comment, citing pending litigation. Davis has since filed legal claims with both the park district and county in response to the incident.
Link: KTVU
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