Aston Villa fans are planning to pay tribute to the club’s former striker Dalian Atkinson, who died after being shot with a Taser by police. He got Tasered in the street outside in the road.
Advertisement
The 48-year-old died about 90 minutes after an incident involving two officers in the Trench areas of Telford, Shropshire, outside his father’s home.
Campaigners have raised concerns about the safety of stun guns and called for restrictions on their use until more is known about the risks.
The full details of the incident are still emerging, although the know that the case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
He had undergone dialysis and neighbours said he had spent an extended period in hospital.
Atkinson started his career at Ipswich and then played for Sheffield Wednesday and Spanish side Real Sociedad before moving to Villa.
Last year police use of Tasers, which are intended as a non-lethal weapon, went up slightly towards the end of 2015 with 10,329 uses by forces in England and Wales, a two per cent rise on the previous year.
He scored the victor for Villa in 1994 when it beat Manchester United with Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs, 3-1, to win the League Cup.
He moved to Aston Villa in the year 1991, and spent four seasons at the club, where he scored 23 goals in 85 league appearances for the Villans.
Early Monday morning, police were called to the home of Atkinson’s father in the town of Telford in the West Midlands.
The FA tweeted: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former England B global Dalian Atkinson”.
However former friend and team-mate, Carlton Palmer, said Atkinson had struggled after his sporting career ended.
The IPCC launched an investigation into the shooting because it involved a death caused by police officers. “Obviously we will have to await the outcome of the IPCC investigation for more information but it demonstrates that lessons have not been learned following the inquest into the deaths Sean Rigg in police custody who also had a mental health condition”.
The force said it would assist the IPCC with their enquiries.
‘An ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival found a man who had been Tasered. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends”.
His former clubs and teammates were quick to pay tribute as news of his death broke Monday.
The club today announced it would hold a minute’s applause at their upcoming match against Huddersfield to honour him. Loved watching videos of him & always remember his great goal vs Wimbledon.
Advertisement
The club are quick to remind fans that in today’s health and safety world, fans themselves can not bring unbrellas into the ground or onto the pitch.
