police tasingMendocino County, CA  – A 36-year-old man died after law enforcement used two tasers during an incident near Willits in Mendocino County. 

Incident Overview

The incident began around 7:00 p.m. on June 5 2025, when California Highway Patrol alerted Mendocino County Sheriff deputies about a hitchhiker involved in a fight with the driver who picked him up. A deputy located the man walking in the road on Hearst Willits Road. He ignored commands and fled down the road and into the brush.

Along with police officers from Willits, deputies used pepper spray and a Taser to subdue and handcuff him. Shortly afterward, the man became unresponsive and despite being administered CPR and Narcan, was pronounced dead at the scene after approximately 30 minutes of resuscitation attempts.

The Mendocino County DA’s Office will oversee the investigation.

Legal Context and Use of Force

California law Penal Code § 835a permits Tasers and physical restraint only when “necessary to defend against imminent threat.” Courts have held that these methods must be proportional and followed by prompt medical care. Any deviation could lead to claims of excessive force.

Broader Concerns Over Taser Use

Non-lethal weapons like Tasers can still result in serious injury or death, especially if used multiple times or in medically risky situations. A 2019 study by the National Institute of Justice found that Tasers were associated with serious medical events in less than 1% of uses—but the risk increases when combined with physical restraint.

This was not the first such death in Mendocino County. In 2009 and 2014, similar incidents involved fatal use of Tasers during arrests, suggesting a pattern that warrants improved training and review.

Families may have recourse under 42 U.S. Code § 1983 for wrongful death or excessive force, particularly if standards of care or force were violated.

Seeking Accountability for In-Custody Deaths

We at the Sehat Law Firm offer our condolences to the family of the deceased

How can our firm assist with an investigation? Should you decide to consult with our firm, our investigation typically includes some or all the following investigative activities

  • obtaining and reviewing medical records, autopsy reports and blood toxicology screening reports
  • requesting a Public Records Request Act for documents and evidence for locating and interviewing critical witnesses to an incident 
  • subpoenaing third party entities if our firm is retained and a lawsuit is initiated 
  • securing surveillance video evidence, and at minimum, placing the jail entity on notice to preserve potential video and tangible evidence of an incident.
  • identifying and contacting potential witnesses, if available.


If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.