NYPD Cop Commits Suicide After Naked Man Dies in Taser Incident
A week after a much-criticized incident in which a naked man Tasered by New York City police fell from a fire escape and died, the lieutenant who ordered the use of the electronic stun gun apparently has committed suicide.
Lt. Michael Pigott was found dead today in a police locker room of a self-inflicted gunshot, authorities say. It was his 46th birthday, reports the Associated Press.
As discussed in an earlier ABAJournal.com post, Pigott was stripped of his gun and badge after the Taser incident, and the gun he is believed to have used to shoot himself in the head was not his own, according to the news agency.
The use of the stun gun may have violated department policy, and police are receiving additional training about how to deal with individuals who appear to be mentally ill.
Pigott apologized to the family of the dead man, 35-year-old Iman Morales at a wake yesterday.
Additional coverage:
City Room (New York Times): “Police Lieutenant in Taser Case Commits Suicide”
