A West Side man, who police said was erratic after they approached him Saturday in the 5000 block of West Washington Boulevard, died after police shot him with a Taser.
Police said officers on bike patrol noticed Homer Taylor Jr. drinking alcohol on Washington Boulevard at about 2 p.m.
As they tried to approach the man, he ran. Once they caught up to him, Taylor brandished a sharp object, became combative and began wielding it at the officers. The officers then used a Taser to subdue him. It appeared that Taylor used drugs shortly before the incident, police said.
Taylor, 39, of the 300 block of North Central Park, died a short time later.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said the cause of death is inconclusive and further tests are needed.
On Oct. 10, Taylor was paroled from the Illinois prison system after serving time for drug and forgery convictions, according to the Illinois Dept. of Corrections.
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Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Police said officers on bike patrol noticed Homer Taylor Jr. drinking alcohol on Washington Boulevard at about 2 p.m.
As they tried to approach the man, he ran. Once they caught up to him, Taylor brandished a sharp object, became combative and began wielding it at the officers. The officers then used a Taser to subdue him. It appeared that Taylor used drugs shortly before the incident, police said.
Taylor, 39, of the 300 block of North Central Park, died a short time later.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said the cause of death is inconclusive and further tests are needed.
On Oct. 10, Taylor was paroled from the Illinois prison system after serving time for drug and forgery convictions, according to the Illinois Dept. of Corrections.
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Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
