Texas police officer fired for dash cam video showing him using Taser on 76-year-old man twice
Victoria Police Officer Nathanial Robinson stopped Pete Vasquez for driving with an expired inspection sticker. The stop abruptly escalated into an attack caught on camera.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, January 5, 2015, 10:34 PM
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A Texas police officer was fired Monday for using a Taser on a 76-year-old man in a confrontation caught on camera in December.
A dash cam captured Victoria Police Officer Nathanial Robinson pulling over the elderly man, Pete Vasquez, outside a convenience store for driving with an expired inspection sticker.
Vasquez told the officer he was driving a dealer’s car that didn’t require a current sticker, Click2Houston reports.
VICTORIA ADVOCATEAn investigation found Nathanial Robinson violated the Victoria Police Department's conduct when he used a Taser on the elderly Pete Vasquez twice.
While talking to Vasquez, Robinson abruptly grabbed the man’s arm, wrestled him to the ground and then shot him twice with a Taser.
Vasquez was taken to a hospital in handcuffs but never cited for any crime. The Victoria Police Department put Robinson on administrative leave while investigating the incident.
KPRC-TVPete Vasquez, 76, was never cited for any crimes after the stop that lead to his assault.
Victoria Police Chief Jeff Craig announced Robinson’s firing Monday, saying the trigger-happy officer violated the department’s policies on conduct and use of force.
“This is a very unfortunate incident for everyone involved,” Craig told Click2Houston.
VICTORIA ADVOCATEA dash cam caught Victoria Police Officer Nathanial Robinson stopping Pete Vasquez and abruptly attacking him.
Robinson might still face criminal charges.
Vasquez has five children and 20 grandchildren.
