Virginia Woman Dies After Deputies Taser Her While In Custody

Deputies Kill Woman By Tasering Her In Custody

A 37-year-old Virginia woman died five days after deputies shocked her with a stun gun.

A statement released by the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department said that on January 26, Natasha McKenna was brought to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with assault on law enforcement.

Then, on Feb. 3, while she was being "prepared" for transfer to the Alexandria Adult Detention Center, she "physically resisted" deputies' commands and was stunned with a Taser, according to the release.

Shortly afterwards, McKenna, experienced a "medical emergency." She was transferred to a hospital and put on life support. Five days later, she died.

Lt. Steve Elbert declined to say how many times McKenna was stunned, when asked by NBC Washington.

The sheriff's department reported that the incident was under investigation.

"We anticipate a prompt and comprehensive investigation," Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid said in the release.

Two "people familiar with the case" told the Washington Post that McKenna had been held at the Fairfax detention center's mental health unit.

Before You Go

Michael Brown

2014 Police Killings

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot