A senior citizen was tazed after threatening officers with a 27-inch homemade spear last week.
Phoenix police report that on August 18 they responded to a home near 35th Avenue and Thomas Road on a domestic violence call.
As they approached the home, they heard a man, later identified as 82-year-old William Campbell Barry, say, "Go away."
Barry then allegedly grabbed a 27-inch black pole with a knife taped to the end of it and advanced towards the officers.
Police say the knife blade was about six inches long.
One officer deployed a Taser, striking Barry in the abdomen. Barry fell and dropped the spear. He then, police say, removed the Taser prongs from his stomach and grabbed the spear again.
He was hit in the same area with another Taser and dropped the spear.
It took several officers to subdue Barry as he reportedly continued to resist being taken into custody.
He has been charged with resisting arrest and aggravated assault.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic or sexual violence, there are several local and national organizations offering resources. Anyone in need of immediate assistance should contact either the Maricopa County Shelter Line at 480-890-3039, the National 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at 602-279-2900. A number of organizations are available 24 hours a day for anyone at risk of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. See a directory of domestic violence programs here.
