SHARE Micah Key

By Jennifer Rios

A 24-year-old man died early Saturday morning after a San Angelo police officer repeatedly used a stun gun to take him into custody.

Micah Anthony Key, of San Angelo, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

San Angelo officers are investigating a report of family violence that resulted in the death of the suspect, police said. Texas Ranger Philip Kemp is investigating what police are calling the custodial death — one that occurs while a suspect is in custody.

At this time, police said the cause of death is unknown.

About 3:30 a.m. Saturday officers were called to Casa Rio Apartments, in the 4900 block of Ben Ficklin Road, according to a police news release. When they arrived they saw a man standing in the doorway of an upstairs apartment.

“When the officers asked the subject to come down and talk with them, he refused,” the news release states. “When the officers went up the stairs to speak with the subject he made aggressive movements toward them and a struggle ensued.”

Police said officers tried to take the man into custody, but that he “actively resisted them.”

Key is listed as 6’1” and weighing 260 pounds, according to Tom Green County arrest records.

Officers announced they were going to use a Taser, but the man continued to resist them, according to the release. After warnings a stun gun was used, but it appeared to have no effect on him.

After a second use of the stun gun, officers were able to control the man and place him in handcuffs, police said. Shortly after they noticed he became unresponsive and they began administering first aid.

San Angelo EMS responded and drove the man to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

One police officer was treated and later released from a hospital for injuries he sustained in the struggle, police said. It was unclear what injuries he was treated for.

DPS Sgt. Santos Carrasco Jr. said the agency is only investigating the incident from the time the suspect was found nonresponsive. Everything preceding that, including the nature of the initial call and how officers responded, would fall under the police department.

Police spokeswoman Officer Tracy Gonzalez said that no further information will be released at this time since it is an active investigation.

The department would not comment on which hospitals the officer and suspect were taken to or what the department’s policy is on using a stun gun.

In 2011 Key was sentenced to seven days in jail after he pleaded guilty to resisting arrest, search or transport, according to Tom Green County court records.

Carrasco said the names of the officers involved in the incident will not be released at this time.

“We want to assure the community the investigation is going to be done and it’s going to be done correctly,” Police Chief Tim Vasquez said Saturday evening. “That’s why we hand cases over to Texas Rangers and allow them to do their investigation.”

Vasquez said the department has a policy on using a Taser, but did not know particulars without referencing the material. He said every situation is different and officers can use it when force is justified in response to resistance.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out for everyone involved,” he said, adding that domestic disturbances are the department’s No. 1 call for service. “Domestic violence cases are very volatile anytime we respond.”