Taser Gun Fails to Penetrate Thick Clothes... Police Officer Seriously Injured by Suspect's Knife Attack

50 Stitches on the Forehead and Torn Ligaments in Both Arms
30 Special Forces Members Dispatched to Capture the Suspect

A suspect wielding a weapon who did not fall after being hit by a taser gun swung the weapon in his hand, seriously injuring a police officer.

Taser gun [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to Jeju Western Police Station on the 24th, on the night of the 22nd in Naedo-dong, Jeju City, Officer B from Nohyeong Precinct, who was restraining a man in his 50s, Mr. A, who threatened citizens with a weapon, was stabbed by the knife Mr. A wielded. Officer B suffered a severe laceration on his forehead requiring about 50 stitches and ruptured ligaments in both arms, underwent emergency surgery, and is currently hospitalized for treatment.

At the time, Mr. A was threatening citizens on the street near his residence with a weapon, saying "I will kill you," before fleeing into his home.

Police officers, including Officer B, who responded to the report, fired the taser gun three times at Mr. A, but failed to subdue him as the taser probes could not penetrate the quilted jacket Mr. A was wearing. Although Mr. A's jacket was not as thick as typical padding or leather jackets, the taser probes did not properly embed.

There is a method to fire the taser gun at the thighs or lower body, but at that time, Mr. A was moving his entire body violently, making it difficult to aim. The police also explained that since both taser probes must hit the skin to be effective, it is challenging to accurately shoot the taser at the legs, which move a lot. The police considered using live ammunition but refrained due to the difficulty of aiming at night and the presence of Mr. A's elderly mother inside the house.

After attacking the police officer, Mr. A entered the house but fled through a window when about 30 police officers, including a special task force, arrived. He ran about 100 meters before finally being arrested.

The taser guns used by the police deliver a strong current of 50,000 volts upon impact, momentarily paralyzing muscles. However, thick clothing such as padding and leather jackets cannot be penetrated, rendering the taser effectively useless in winter. The only way for the taser to be effective is to approach the suspect closely, place it directly on the skin, and pull the trigger.

Frontline police officers say that while taser guns can penetrate fabrics about 5 cm thick, there are cases where wearing padded clothing results in no effect even if hit, and they are calling for measures to improve this issue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.