Police repeatedly Taser airline passenger accused of groping and racist remarks
Officer shocks 28-year-old 10 times, say police
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Your support makes all the difference.A man has been shocked repeatedly with a Taser gun and arrested on board a plane after he allegedly groped another passenger, Miami police said.
According to American Airlines, there was a “disagreement” between Jacob Garcia, 28, and others on Flight 2446 as the aircraft was waiting to depart Miami International Airport for Chicago.
The dispute started after Mr Garcia allegedly touched a woman without her permission, according to an arrest report.
He was moved to another seat, but started to shout abuse at the female passenger and her partner, the report said. Flight attendants asked Mr Garcia to get off the plane but he refused, the file claimed.
Footage of the incident showed three officers surrounding the 28-year-old, who is reportedly from Chicago.
“What is the reason why you’re removing me from this plane?” he asks.
A male voice says: “Well you just assaulted a lady for one.”
Mr Garcia then says: “No, you guys are just trying to get on social media.”
The unknown male then says: “You’re a racist, for two.”
The struggle continues, with one officer urging Mr Garcia not to “fight”.
When the man asks again why he is being removed from the flight, an officer takes out a Taser and fires it at him.
In between shocks the man asks why he is being removed from the aircraft.
The police report says the Miami-Dade officer used his Taser 10 times because he was “unable to holster his electronic control weapon” due to “Mr Garcia’s actions and the close quarters of the engagement”.
Eventually, Mr Garcia walked off the plane under police escort, but he continued to resist and twice tried to grab a police officer’s gun, according to the report.
He was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Centre, where he was charged with battery, depriving an officer of a firearm, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, officials said.
American Airlines said in its statement it followed its normal procedures after the “disagreement” between passengers broke out, adding that the flight departed with the remaining passengers about an hour after the scheduled time.