Multiple Taser shocks not 'inappropriate,' law enforcement expert says after Raleigh man shocked, dies during arrest

A five-day report released Monday details the arrest of Darryl Williams, who died Jan. 17 while police officers were attempting to take him into custody.

Posted 12:37 p.m. Jan 23, 2023 — Updated 11:14 p.m. Jan 23, 2023

Chelsea Donovan

, WRAL reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — A five-day report released Monday by the Raleigh Police Department states Darryl Williams, who died Jan. 17 while police officers were attempting to take him into custody, yelled that he had a heart condition as a Taser was used to detain him.

According to the report, officers were patrolling the businesses in the area of the 800 block of Rock Quarry Road when they saw Williams, sitting in a car outside a sweepstakes parlor. They suspected he had alcohol and marijuana in the car and asked to search it. Inside Williams' car, officers found drugs and two guns, one of which had been reported stolen.

When officers tried to arrest Williams, he "became combative and resistant," according to the report. It continues, "Williams continued to resist their efforts and was able to overpower and pull away from them."

The report states officers warned Williams, "Stop or you are going to get tased," but Williams "continued to actively resist the officers by pushing them and refusing to place his hands behind his back."

Officer C.D. Robinson used his Taser on Williams, who fell to the ground. After the first stun, Williams can be heard on body worn camera saying, “I have heart problems.” Williams was able to get up and run a short distance across the parking lot, the report says.

Williams fell to the ground, where officers struggled with him, attempting to handcuff him. While Williams fought, officers used the Taser twice more in in stun mode, according to the report. The officers used the Taser on Williams' side and on his back.

Seth Stoughton, a former law enforcement officer, who testified as an expert in police excessive force in the trial of Derek Chauvin, convicted of killing George Floyd, told WRAL News that the officers' actions did not raise any red flags.

"There's nothing in here that is really a red or even yellow flag," Stoughton said.

"Even though there are two (shocks) within a 50-second period, that doesn’t stand out as inappropriate," he said.

At 2:02 a.m., officers called for EMS, which is standard when a Taser is used. Williams was unresponsive, so officers gave him CPR and at 2:06 a.m. requested EMS arrive on scene quickly. Williams was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:01 a.m.

No shots were fired, according to the police.

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said six officers were involved in the incident. The officers are on administrative leave, which is standard procedure when there is an officer-involved shooting or in-custody death.

"I will tell you anytime there is a loss of life its taken very seriously by the department," Patterson said. "We will ensure a full investigation will happen."

Body-worn cameras and dash camera video captured the incident, police said.

The State Bureau of Investigation is taking over the investigation.

Darryl Williams' mother, Sonya Williams, said her son was 32 and lived in Raleigh.

"He had so many friends," Sonya Williams said of her late son. "[He was] loved by so many."

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