A man identified as Genesis Hicks, 26, died on September 29, two weeks after being tased by police.
The incident transpired on September 14 after Frisco police received a report of a man attempting to buy a car at a local dealership using a false identity. Officers responded to the dealership in the 9600 block of State Highway 121 at about 3:15 p.m., according to police officials.
Police reported that Hicks fled when they approached. Officers ran after him and gave verbal commands for him to stop, warning that he would be tased if he did not comply.
As Hicks continued running, an officer deployed his taser. When his attempt proved ineffective, a second officer reportedly tased Hicks, causing him to fall to the ground and strike his head.
Hicks was handcuffed and then transferred to the hospital, where he died two weeks after the incident, according to Frisco police.
Attorney Benjamin Crump, who represents the suspect’s family, said Hicks sustained head trauma and was in a coma throughout his stay in the hospital.
In a Facebook post, Crump stated that running from the police should not be a death sentence. He claims Frisco police used excessive force, as Hicks never posed a threat to them. “We need answers for this preventable death,” he said.
“We will not let this tragedy be overlooked,” insisted Crump, who has represented the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Trayvon Martin. “We will advocate for transparency, answers, and justice.”
Nehemiah Hicks, the victim’s brother, described him as loving, outgoing, and full of personality. He was “an outstanding dad … the best dad he could be,” Nehemiah said, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Family and friends of Hick made several posts on social media using the hashtags #justiceforgen and #forever26. His mother set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses. As of Friday afternoon, $1,380 has been raised.
Dallas ISD Police Chief and former Dallas Police Deputy Chief Craig Miller said that tasers are not meant to be used for compliance, as they are specifically designed for incapacitation.
The Frisco Police Department, in a press release, sympathized with “everyone affected by this unfortunate incident, including officers and the family members of the deceased.”
In compliance with the Frisco Police Department policy, the Texas Rangers and Collin County District Attorney’s office have started investigations and declined to provide details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.