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Black Lives Matter UK: Taser ‘degrading form of punishment’

Wednesday confirmed the 48-year-old’s death after becoming satisfied that Atkinson was the man who died.

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The 48-year-old’s nephew, Fabian Atkinson, said officers would not have used a stun gun if they had known his medical history.

Coping with the end of his career wasn’t easy for Dalian Atkinson.

Police were called at around 1.30am today amid concerns “for the safety of an individual” and a Taser was used.

The most recent United Kingdom death following the use of an electroshock weapon occurred in 2013, when 23-year-old Jordan Begley died after he was targeted by police in Manchester following reports of an argument.

West Mercia Police said it responded to a report expressing concern for the safety of an individual at about 01:30 BST on Monday.

She said: ‘The police officer shouted something about deploying the Taser but because the gentleman was still stumbling forwards he deployed the Taser anyway. “How do they know the health of the guy or the girl that they are affecting?”

Tasers deliver an incapacitating 50,000-volt shock, and critics say the weapon is too often lethal.

A 2015 Home Office report claimed that black people are three times more likely to be tasered by police.

LONDON (AP) — The death of a former Premier League soccer player who was shot with a Taser by police is being investigated by Britain’s Independent Police Complaints Commission.

According to a 2014 IPCC report into complaints about Taser use by British police, there have been 11 cases where a person died after an electroshock weapon was deployed.

“Our investigation team have been securing and preserving relevant evidence, and identifying witnesses”.

Sheffield Wednesday tweeted that “the thoughts of everyone at Wednesday are with the friends and family of Dalian Atkinson”.

Neighbours said the retired star, who drove a Porsche, was well-known in the short cul-de-sac where he grew up, making frequent visits to see his father.

Atkinson, 48, whose former clubs included Aston Villa and Spain’s Real Sociedad, was given medical treatment at the scene but later died.

The move saw Atkinson pick up the ball in his own half, before embarking on a mazy run that fends off four attempted tackles and chipping Wimbledon goalkeeper Hans Segers when spotting the Dutchman off his line.

He also won the first Premier League Goal of the Season prize for a goal against Wimbledon in the 1992/93 campaign. “Dalian undoubtedly provided real memorable moments during his time in claret and blue”.

Wednesday said Atkinson was “widely regarded as one of the most exciting football talents to emerge during the mid- 1980s to early 1990s”.

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Starting his career at Ipswich Town he played for Sheffield Wednesday and Spanish side Real Sociedad before moving to Villa.

Dalian Atkinson Died on Monday