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After Bizarre Break-In, Man Tasered By LCSO Dies

Leon County Sheriff's Office

A man who was shot with a Taser by law enforcement earlier this week has died after being admitted to a local hospital in critical condition. 

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is reporting 46-year-old Eddie James Morris has died after being tased twice during a confrontation with deputies. Officials say Morris broke into a home in the 100 block of Lawndale Road Tuesday night, exhibiting strange behavior consistent with “excited delirium,” a state that can be brought on by hallucinogenic drugs.

The homeowner held Morris at gunpoint waiting for law enforcement to arrive. And deputies say when they arrived on scene, Morris advanced toward them holding a lamp, positioning himself to hit the officers. That’s when deputies say they tased Morris the first time, and when he continued to struggle, tased him again.

Morris lost consciousness at the scene and was given CPR, according to LCSO. When he continued to decline, he was brought to the hospital in critical condition.

This isn’t the first tasing death involving law enforcement this year. In February, 20-year-old Aaron Parker died after being tased by a Tallahassee Police Department officer. TPD reported Parker was showing signs of “excited delirium” at the time.

Ryan Dailey is a reporter/producer for WFSU/Florida Public Radio. After graduating from Florida State University, Ryan went into print journalism working for the Tallahassee Democrat for five years. At the Democrat, he worked as a copy editor, general assignment and K-12 education reporter.