Crime & Safety
Sword-Wielding Whitestone Man Dies After Police Tasing: Report
The family's attorney claims NYPD officers used excessive force against the man, who had mental health issues, the New York Post reported.
WHITESTONE, QUEENS — A Whitestone man armed with a samurai sword died Sunday after he was tased by police officers, then went into cardiac arrest as they were arresting him, according to a news report.
The NYPD showed up at 30-year-old George Zapantis' home Sunday night after receiving reports of a man with a firearm there, a police spokesperson told the New York Post.
Cops found Zapantis in his basement with the sword and told him to drop the weapon. They tased him as he started approaching, sword still in hand, the police spokesperson told the Post.
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Zapantis went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where died, according to the Post.
His family's attorney, George Vomvolakis, told the Post he believes the police used excessive force against Zapantis, who suffered from mental health issues.
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“Although it is early in our investigation, it appears that we may have another incident of excessive force by police officers who repeatedly shot Mr. Zapantis with a Taser, which ultimately caused his death,” he told the news outlet.
Read the full story in the New York Post.
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