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Firefighter shot with Taser

Story Created: Jun 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM EST

Story Updated: Jun 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM EST

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - A Sarasota County sheriff's deputy visiting a fire station accidentally shot a firefighter with a Taser stun gun.

The sheriff's office reports that Deputy Stacey Eve tried to test the Taser and forgot to remove a cartridge.

Assistant Fire Chief Paul Dezzi says that some of the firefighters were "goofing around" and knocked on a bathroom door last weekend while the deputy was inside. When she came out, the Taser went off somehow and hit firefighter W.C. Donaldson.

It was not clear if Donaldson received a shock because only one barb stuck to his skin, but he was taken to a hospital to have it removed.

The deputy remains on regular duty, but the sheriff's office reports they are conducting an administrative inquiry.

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Information from: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, http://www.herald-trib.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View Oldest Comments First

Monday, Jun 30 at 7:19 AM NorTex wrote ...

Da'Oh it happens! So lets move on to something more useful because survey says all parties involved just had a significant learning event

Sunday, Jun 29 at 2:25 PM df wrote ...

Taser guns can be used as an "old style" taser if you remove the cartridge containing the barbs and spool first. This is also the way to test the taser as it will arc across at the end where the cartridge is plugged in. She probably felt threatened when the door was opened and shot the creep. My wife would have sprayed pepper spray in his face.

Saturday, Jun 28 at 10:58 AM kv wrote ...

Wow are you kidding me? That sounds a bit fishy. More like the deputy shot the taser at the fireman for messig with her while she was in the bathroom. Why would she "test" the taser at the firehouse and not at the station? "By accident"......more like "On purpose".