Video shows a Colorado Springs police officer tasering a motor vehicle theft suspect, reportedly paralyzing him

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – A $100 million lawsuit was recently filed against the Colorado Springs Police Department. The document can be viewed at the end of this article.

WARNING: The video at the top of this article shows the moment a man was drugged and allegedly paralyzed. It may be difficult for some to watch.

The public announcement of a lawsuit came from a press release on behalf of attorneys Harry Daniels and Tyler A. Jolly. The press release states that attorneys for 31-year-old Jacob Root believe a Colorado Springs Police Department officer acted recklessly in assaulting Root.

The incident occurred on May 16, 2022, when police and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office were investigating a stolen car at a gas station on Airport Road, according to the release.

“Despite ignoring multiple opportunities to recover the stolen vehicle in an unoccupied condition, the task force ultimately approached Root at the Kum & Go gas station on Airport Road,” the release said.

The law firm claims the police verbally abused him without warning, citing CSPD General Order 500. The general order requires officers to give a clear verbal warning before deploying a Taser or using force, while the CSPD Standard Operating Procedures for the Use of Conducted Electric Weapons (CEW) strictly prohibits officers from using anyone “in an elevated position.” Position or location where a fall could result in significant injury or death.

The insult caused Root to fall face first to the ground. The law firm said he was unable to use his hands to break his fall and his neck broke, leaving him paralyzed. The law firm says he is now “paraplegic.”

In the video, an officer can be heard yelling, “Get on the ground, police K9 stop, police K9 stop, you’re going to get bitten, you’re going to get bitten!” Get on the ground,” a few seconds before a tazer was deployed. At the end of the video, you can hear the officer explaining that he didn’t want the suspect to run into traffic.

KKTV 11 News reached out to the Colorado Springs Police Department for comment on the lawsuit or the bodycam video shared with 11 News. As soon as we receive a response, this article will be updated. According to court records, charges against Root in connection with the incident were dismissed by the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. KKTV 11 News has also reached out to the DA’s office for comment on why these charges were dismissed.

KKTV 11 News expects to speak with an attorney representing Root. Watch coverage on 11 News at 4, 5:30 and 10 p.m

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