Crime & Safety
Man Tazed Multiple Times, Officer Injured
The following incident was reported by the Newport Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
Newport police tazed a man four times Monday morning after he violently resisted arrest near forty steps on Cliff Walk. Two officers were injured in the incident; one is currently out of work.
John Bowen, 44, of 15 Meeting Street was charged with felony assault of police officers and misdemeanor charges of simple assault and resisting arrest.
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Police said witnesses called police because Bowen was acting drunk and confrontational. When they arrived on-scene, police said Bowen was uncooperative and they struggled to put him in handcuffs.
Once police got him to the ground, Bowen allegedly continued to struggle and fight officers. While kneeling on his back, police drew a tazer, but Bowen kicked it and broke the cartridge. Police removed the cartridge and delivered a stun to his thigh. Police had to deliver stuns several more times because Bowen continued to fight.
Two officers and Bowen were treated at Newport Hospital for injuries. One officer was diagnosed with an AC sprain to his left shoulder. The doctor put him out of work for one week.
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