Former Premier League footballer Dalian Atkinson has died after being shot with a taser in the British town of Telford early Thursday, according to local media reports.
West Mercia Police said in a statement Monday that an independent investigation had been launched into the death of a man who was shot by police with a taser.
He was named by local media as Dalian Atkinson, a former player for Premier League soccer team Aston Villa.
West Mercia Police released a statement saying that officers in Telford, about 130 miles northwest of London, had responded “to a report for the concern for the safety of an individual” at about 1.30 a.m. Monday.
“Upon arrival, Taser was deployed and a 48-year-old man, who subsequently received medical attention, was pronounced dead at approximately 3 a.m.” read the statement.
The statement said that the incident had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, “as is normal procedure,” and that as a result, officials could make no further comment on the case.