NAACP Investigating New London Taser Death

The New London and Connecticut NAACP State Conference will launch a full investigation into the allegations of police misconduct and excessive force by the New London Police Department.

On Monday, Oct. 6, the family of Lashano Gilbert, filed a formal complaint with the Connecticut NAACP alleging that New London Police Officers violated his civil rights, according to a press release from Tamara Lanier, CT NAACP Criminal Justice Chair.

“The family is seeking transparency and federal oversight of the investigation,” Lanier said.

Gilbert, 31, died on Saturday, Oct. 4, after reportedly being Tased twice over a less than eight hour period, according to WFSB.

Lanier said Gilbert is the 15th person to die on Connecticut streets after being Tased by police. NAACP State Conference President Scot X. Esdaile and the Connecticut NAACP has long called for legislation that would regulate the use of Tasers, citing medical evidence maintaining that stun gun use yields lethal results.

“In July of 2014, The Use of Conducted Electrical Weapons Law was passed requiring POST, The Police Officer’s Standard and Training Council to draft a model policy,” according to the NAACP release. “Both the NAACP and the ACLU ask that this policy require police to use devices with the video recording capabilities.”

New London Police Chief Peter Reichard told The Day that new Tasers carried by most New London officers have audio and visual recording capabilities.

Gilbert was Tased the first time after allegedly attempting a carjack near Williams and Broad Streets and resting arrest on Friday, Oct. 3, WFSB reported.

Early in the morning on Saturday, Oct. 4, police said they became worried he would hurt himself, as it appeared like he may have been twisting his pants into a rope. When they opened the cell door, Gilbert allegedly began to fight with the officers and he was hit with the stun gun for the second time.

The Day reports that Gilbert was transported to the hospital after the second stunning and died en route.

According to WFSB, the police department reached out to the State Attorney’s Office and Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit, who will also investigate Gilbert’s death.

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