Man Dies After Being Tasered By Police

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 14, 2012 5:40PM

A West Pullman man who family and friends said “wouldn’t hurt a fly” died after being tasered by Chicago cops at a police station and a hospital Thursday. Philip Coleman, 38, was arrested around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday for allegedly beating his mother and, according to reports, “became combative” and spit blood at officers.

According to police, Coleman again became agitated at the 5th District Station when he was Tasered, before being transferred to Roseland Community Hospital, where he became disruptive a third time and was Tasered again. He was given a sedative and later died.

DNAInfo Chicago spoke with family and neighbors of Coleman who said his behavior was out of character. Mark Bowen, a friend of Coleman’s, said he was trying to get Coleman to calm down and leave with police peacefully. Coleman’s farther, Percy, told the Tribune his son was a University of Chicago graduate and “has never been in trouble.” Coleman was listed as Director of Hospice Education for Rainbow/PUSH Coalition from 2003 through 2008 and was said to be a regular volunteer for the organization.