Columbus Police: Officer discharges stun gun to subdue fleeing suspect

Columbus Police Officer Michael Aguilar was responding to a shots fired call at Elizabeth Canty Apartments late Tuesday when he discharged his stun gun to subdue a fleeing suspect, according to a case report.

Eddie Hawkins, who told police neither of the two probes penetrated his skin, was arrested after a brief chase and charged with obstruction, giving a false name and loitering. He was booked into the Muscogee County Jail.

His preliminary hearing was 2 p.m. Wednesday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Aguilar said he and other members of directed patrol unit were called to Elizabeth Canty Apartments at 201 20th Avenue around 10:20 p.m. to investigate after shots were fired in the area. Upon arrival, police observed a group of individuals loitering outside of Building 202.

“When I exited my patrol vehicle, one of the individuals fled on foot,” Aguilar stated in the report. “He was told to stop, but he ignored police commands.”

Aguilar and another officer, both unaware of whether the man was armed, began chasing him on foot. The suspect allegedly put his right hand near his waist, which police noted as a common place to keep firearms.

“Based on his actions and the nature of the call, I pulled my Taser from the holster and pulled the trigger as the male continued to ignore police commands to stop running,” Aguilar wrote in the report. “One of the taster probes struck the back left pocket of his shorts but did not make contact with the suspect.”

Police said he continued to chase the suspect, who he lost sight of for approximately five seconds but captured later without incident. Authorities didn’t locate a gun on him after he was taken into custody, according to the report.

Officials said the suspect identified himself as “Amarion” but they later learned that his real name is Eddie Hawkins. Officials also confirmed through DMV that he committed a parole violation.

According to the report, Hawkins told police that he didn’t feel any effects from the stun gun and neither of the two probes penetrated his skin. Medics were called to the scene but no treatment was necessary, officers said.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 8:41 AM with the headline "Columbus Police: Officer discharges stun gun to subdue fleeing suspect."