A white Fairfax County Police Officer is facing assault charges after using a stun gun on a black man during a domestic call, according to authorities.
In a news conference on Saturday, Police Chief Edwin Roessler stated that the police were called on a man walking down the street yelling he needed oxygen. The first officer on the scene was attempting to de-escalate the situation and help the man into an ambulance. Officer Tyler Timberlake showed up to the scene and began tasing the man multiple times.
Roessler says that Timberlake deployed force in violation of the department’s use of force policies and ignored “the sanctity of human life.”
It’s unclear on why Timberlake tased the unidentified black man, and it’s under investigation, according to NBC Washington.
“They were working with this gentleman to get him help, to the ambulance, that was very clear, and for unknown reasons now, we have to wait for the criminal investigation and my administrative investigation to understand what was in the mind of this officer to do what he did, and that was to deploy that electronic control weapon and then escalate further. Unacceptable. Just disgusting,” Roessler said.
The other three officers that were involved are currently on administrative leave while the investigation takes place.
Officer Tyler Timberlake was arrested and charged with three counts of assault and battery. He faces up to 36 months in jail.
As for the man that was tased, he was treated at the hospital and later released.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano says that he is following the case closely and will “ensure a thorough prosecution and outcome, especially during these trying times.”
