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Miami teen dies after being tasered by police

By Chellie Cervone - Posted: Aug 8, 2013 at 9:49 am

Israel Hernandez, Miami teen dies after being tasered

Talking about tasers (Photo credit: Doctor_Q)

Israel Hernandez-Llach, a 17-year-old Miami teen dies after being tasered by police, and the case in under investigation.

Hernandez-Llach, was an aspiring artist known as “Reefa” and was born in Columbia. The Miami Herald says that his style of art was inspired from his hometown and he was a talented sculptor, painter, writer and photographer.

The aspiring artist was apparently spray-painting a closed building that has formerly was a McDonald’s on Tuesday morning.

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Police responded to the scene and a lengthy foot chased ensued while police pursed Hernandez. It appears that Hernandez-Llach was known to police for prior graffiti incidents.

At some point during the chase, Hernandez-Llach was cornered and refused to surrender, according to Police. After ignoring their commands to “stop”, he was shot in the chest with a taser.

After being tasered, officers noticed that Hernandez-Llach was showing signs of distress. He was transported to a hospital where he died.

A statement was released by the Miami Police Chief, Ray Martinez,

The city of Miami Beach would like to extend their condolences to the family of Israel Hernandez.

Those who knew the victim describe him in glowing terms and says that he was well on his way to being successful. Some of work has had already been exhibited.

Tasers are used by many police departments across the country and are thought to be a safe aid in subduing and suspects, however, there is controversy as to how safe they really are.

Some believe that if a person has an unknown, underlying medical condition, being tasered could cause a cardiac arrhythmia, which could result in a heart attack or even death.

The case in under investigation.