Investigators are looking for witnesses after a man was set alight when Tasered by a police officer in Vancouver.
The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO), the civilian oversight agency that probes serious police incidents, said it occurred on Oct. 6.
Officers responded to reports that a man had spat at a couple and attempted to touch “a number” of women at about 2.15 pm.
He was found along the Seawall near Bute Street and Cordova Street, the IIO said.
Police report that the man then attempted to fight, prompting officers to deploy a Taser.
But when the weapon was used against the suspect, it made contact with a “flammable concealed possession on his person” and ignited.
He was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Now the IIO is investigating whether actions or inactions by the officers “played into” what happened to the man.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.
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