Man Tasered, arrested after drunken birthday celebration

An intoxicated man who attempted to fight with Cape Girardeau police officers on his birthday was Tasered, arrested and charged in the incident.

Police officers Tasered Jason Pruitt, 32, when he did not comply with their orders and instead lunged toward the arresting officers, according to police spokesman Jason Selzer.

Officers originally responded to Pruitt's home at 320 N. Fountain St. at 11:30 p.m. Thursday on a call for loud music and found the defendant sitting on his front porch drinking.

Pruitt, who turned 32 years old Thursday, was told to turn down his music, which he did, and the officers left, according to Selzer.

Police returned to Pruitt's home about 45 minutes later when they received a call of a juvenile drinking at the home.

When officers returned, the music had been turned back up and a 16-year-old boy was found "extremely intoxicated" on the porch with Pruitt, who was covered with vomit, Selzer said.

One officer drew his Taser gun to arrest Pruitt for prohibited acts, and told the defendant to stand up and place his hands behind his back. Pruitt stepped toward the officers with clenched fists, but then turned around.

As he prepared to arrest Pruitt, the officer put his Taser gun away. The defendant then turned around and swung his fists at the officer, who sidestepped the attack, Selzer said.

Pruitt fell to the ground, and as officers were attempting to place him under arrest, the defendant struggled. The Taser gun was pressed against Pruitt to shock him, and the defendant immediately stood up, Selzer said.

The officer fired the Taser's prongs at Pruitt. As the prongs did not seem to penetrate the thick jacket Pruitt had been wearing, the officer placed the Taser gun against the defendant's left shoulder blade, sending a current through his body and forcing him to the ground, Selzer said.

Once on the ground, the prongs had made their way through the jacket and the officer was able to shock Pruitt when he continued to struggle.

The defendant was ordered to roll onto his front, and was Tasered a fifth time when he failed to do so, after which officers were able to handcuff the defendant, according to Selzer.

During the struggle, Pruitt's daughter, between 4 and 5 years old, was present on the porch, according to Selzer.

The 16-year-old boy, who had apparently run away from his home Thursday night when his mother would not allow him to go to Pruitt's party, admitted to drinking vodka. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and later returned to his mother, Selzer said.

Neither the boy nor Pruitt were injured.

Pruitt was charged with misdemeanor assault of a police officer and resisting arrest and issued a $5,000 bond, Selzer said. He was also cited with prohibited acts for the loud music.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127