Family identifies man who died after taser strike

News-Post | November 18, 2007
By Sarah Fortney and Comfort Dorn

A 20-year-old man died this morning after a sheriff's deputy used a taser on him to break up a fight, the Frederick County Sheriff's Office reports.

The man was identified as Jarrel Gray of Ladd Circle by his mother, Tanya Thomas, who spoke to a News-Post reporter.

A fight was reported in the 7000 block of Gresham Court East, near Crestwood Boulevard in Frederick, about 4:54 a.m., according to Cpl. Jennifer Bailey of the sheriff's office.

The first deputy on the scene found four people fighting outside and deployed a taser, striking Gray, Bailey said. He fell on the ground unconscious and was given first aid on the scene, then taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The Frederick Police Department is assisting the Sheriff's Office with the investigation, Bailey said.

The deputy, whose name was not released, has been placed on administrative leave with pay.