Associated Press
May 4, 2010
PHILADELPHIA-- A police
officer used a Taser gun to apprehend a fan who ran onto the field
during a Phillies game Monday, prompting the team and police to
investigate whether it was an appropriate use of force.
The fan,
wearing a baseball cap, red T-shirt and khaki shorts, hopped a fence
and scurried around the outfield, eluding two security officers in the
bottom of the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. One
officer used a Taser and the fan went down in a heap. Several Phillies
placed gloves over their faces and appeared to be stifling laughter at
the wild scene.
Phillies spokeswomen Bonnie Clark said the
police department is investigating the matter and discussing with the
team whether using the stun gun was appropriate.
Police
spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore told The Philadelphia Inquirer police
internal affairs will open an investigation to determine if the firing
"was proper use of the equipment."
Vanore was not made available
to The Associated Press when a call was placed to the police
department's public affairs office late Monday night.
The teams said it's the first time a Taser has been used by police to apprehend a spectator who ran onto the field.
The
fan was 17-year-old male and he will be charged with criminal trespass
and related offenses, the team said. The Phillies did not release his
name because he is a juvenile.
