Mesa police said on April 6 that a man died in custody following a chase, “multiple Taser deployments” and physical strikes.
The incident began when officers attempted to stop 52-year-old Eric Baker for riding a bicycle at night without a front light, which is a violation of Arizona law, according to Detective Jesse Macias, reported AZ Central.
Just after 8:30 p.m. on April 4, officers patrolling near Dobson Road and University Drive tried to stop Baker using emergency lights and sirens. Police said Baker did not comply and fled into a nearby apartment complex. Two officers pursued him on foot while another officer went to the other end of the complex.
“The officers gave multiple verbal commands, including, ‘Police, stop,’ but Baker continued to flee,” Macias said.
During the chase, Baker crashed his bicycle and landed on a concrete walkway. Officers attempted to take him into custody while he was on the ground, but Macias said he resisted arrest by “pulling away, refusing commands to provide his hands and attempting to get up while kicking at officers.”
Police used physical strikes and “multiple Taser deployments,” which were described as “initially ineffective.” With assistance from a third officer, they were able to handcuff Baker after more than ninety seconds of struggle.
Baker was arrested in connection with aggravated assault on an officer and an active felony warrant for probation violation. About forty-five seconds after being handcuffed, police moved him onto his side into what they called “a recovery position.” Forty seconds later, officers requested expedited medical aid from the Mesa Fire Department. While waiting for medical personnel, Macias said Baker continued displaying “erratic behavior” such as yelling and flailing on the ground. Medical staff could not read his vital signs due to this movement once they arrived.
On the way to the hospital, Baker became unresponsive; attempts to save his life were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death is pending results from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office investigation. “We recognize the seriousness of this incident and are committed to conducting a complete and transparent review of the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Macias said.
According to information provided by Maricopa County Superior Court, Baker had prior arrests between 1999 and 2024 for charges including theft, resisting arrest, dangerous drug violations, unlawful discharge of a firearm and drug possession.
More than 1,000 people in the United States died following police use of a Taser between 2001 and 2018. That’s according to a Reuters investigation that examined cases from the 17-year span, reported Grand Canyon Times. In Arizona, there were 34 such deaths, according to the report.
The database was developed as part of a multi-year Reuters investigation that examined police reports, autopsies, court records and news accounts. In about 21% of cases where a cause of death was available, coroners or medical examiners cited the Taser as a cause or contributing factor, Reuters reported.
Taser devices are produced by Axon Enterprise, which is headquartered in Scottsdale.
