January 17, 2008: Baron "Scooter" Pikes was tasered to death in Winnfield, LA, by a police officer. Pikes had been arrested on an outstanding warrant. The police officer who shocked Pikes, Scott Nugent, could face criminal charges after a coroner ruled the death a homicide.CNN: Ex-cop may be charged in case of man Tasered to death (July 22, 2008)
The incident - and suspicions of a cover-up - have stirred up racial tension in Winnfield. Scott Nugent is white and Pikes was a black man.LA Times: Taser death in troubled town (July 20, 2008)
Arrest and Death
- Scott Nugent spotted Pikes and arrested him on outstanding warrant for drug possession
- Pikes did not resist arrestDaily Kos: Black Man Dies After Tased 9 Times by White Cop (July 20, 2008)
- Tasered nine times
- Was handcuffed when being tasered
- Reportedly pleaded for mercyLA Times: Taser death in troubled town (July 20, 2008)
- May have been dead after the seventh Taser shotCNN: Ex-cop may be charged in case of man Tasered to death (July 22, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
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21 at time of his death
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Died
January 17, 2008, approx. 2:07 p.m.
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Employed as a sawmill worker
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Pikes' stepmother
"A lot happens in this town and it just gets swept under the rug"Chicago Tribune: Taser death ignites racial tensions (July 19, 2008)
