Jul 9, 2008 12:26 pm US/Central
Dad Uses Toddler As Shield Against Cop's Taser
LAPORTE, Ind. (Post-Tribune) ―
With a Taser pointed at him, a LaPorte man barricaded inside his home grabbed his 2-year-old daughter early Tuesday and used her as a shield.
"That's pretty sad," said LaPorte Police Chief of Detectives Clyde Crass. "We're talking about a 2-year-old child who I'm sure was frightened."
Child neglect and battery to a police officer were among the charges leveled against Brandon Hockman.
About 2 a.m., police were called to the 500 block of Scott Street.
The 29-year-old mother of the child ran toward officers, saying Hockman had thrown her down some stairs.
And, to prevent her from leaving, he let the air out of her car's tires, she said.
Hockman, 33, was yelling obscenities and seemed to become even more enraged, tossing around what sounded like large pieces of furniture, police said.
Officer Nathan Thode discovered an open window and pointed a Taser gun at Hockman, who allegedly picked up the toddler and held her in front of him.
The red dot used to help aim the Taser accurately was shining on the girl, police said.
According to police, officer Darin Mercer was at another open window also pointing a Taser at him.
Hockman, still holding the girl in front of him, walked over to Mercer, threatening to kill him, police said.
Mercer called him a coward.
In response, police said Hockman sat the girl down and with his face in the window screen began screaming at Mercer, who administered a chemical spray.
Eventually, officers forced open the barricaded rear door and hit Hockman with 50,000 volts twice from a Taser, finally subduing him.
At the LaPorte County Jail, though, police said he was out of control again slamming his head into a brick wall.
The girl was unharmed.
(CBS 2 and the Post-Tribune are news partners covering stories in the communities of northwest Indiana. Send story tips to tips@cbs2chicago.com. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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