Police use stun gun on man with toddler

Tempe police body-camera footage shows an officer using a stun gun on a man holding a toddler in his arms.

Tempe police responded to the apartment of Ivaughn Oakry near Elliot Road and Hardy Drive on the morning of June 15. A Tempe police officer identified as Ronald Kerzaya entered Oakry’s apartment and threatened to stun the man within seconds of knocking on his door, according to the body-camera video.

The newly released police footage was provided to The Arizona Republic on Tuesday by local advocacy groups.

“This incident has left the entire family, but especially the children, with physical health problems and severe emotional trauma,” Black Lives MatterPhoenix Metro stated in a news release.

The 11-minute video shows Kerzaya threaten to use a stun gun on Oakry if he did not put his hands on his head. Oakry later picks up his 1-year-old child and continues to argue with the officer. Kerzaya urges him to put the child down, but Oakry ignores the command, insisting he has the right to hold his child in his own home.

Kerzaya and other officer then use the stun gun on Oakry, the video shows. He can be seen falling forward with the toddler still in his arms.

Electricity from the stun gun passed through Oakry’s body and into the child, according to a news release sent on behalf of the family.

“Most kids grow up thinking police are heroes, but the Tempe police are creating a generation of black and brown kids who are terrified of the police,” Zarra Teacola with Black Lives Matter - Phoenix Metro said during a news conference on the incident Tuesday.

Tempe police said in a statement that the child was not injured and there was no evidence the child was hit with the stun gun probes.

The officers underwent mandatory re-training in contact communication, defense tactics and enhanced de-escalation technique following the incident, Tempe police said. No use of force violations occurred, according to Tempe police spokeswoman Det. Natalie Barela.

“The Tempe Police Department recognizes that training for every encounter is challenging; however, we will continue to evaluate and improve tactics, communication, and de-escalation techniques to achieve the highest standards,” Barela said in a statement. “The Tempe Police Department is committed to accountability, transparency and strengthening how we engage with community members during use of force encounters.”

Heather Hamel, an attorney with the People’s Law Firm, said police violated Oakry’s Fourth Amendment rights by entering the apartment without his consent or a search warrant. The woman who called police was no longer inside the apartment when the officers arrived.

Oakry intends to file a lawsuit against the city. He’s also demanding the department fire the officers involved.

The body-camera footage starts when Kerzaya arrives at Oakry’s apartment shortly after 6 a.m.

Tempe police said they responded to reports of a domestic violence incident. However, Hamel said the mother of the children called the non-emergency line for assistance.

In the video, Oakry answers the door and tells Kerzaya “nothing” is happening when the officer questions him. “This is my house,” Oakry says. “I don’t care if this is your house,” Kerzaya replies.

He orders Oakry to put his hands behind his back and steps through the front door as he reaches for Oakry’s hands.

Hamel in a statement said the officer did not have a warrant to enter the apartment.

“Bro, you’re

Oakry yells.

The footage shows Kerzaya drawing his stun gun and pointing it at Oakry. Young children can be heard screaming in the background.

Kerzaya and Oakry go back and forth for minutes, the video shows. Another officer takes the two young children onto an outside balcony. At one point, Oakry picks up the toddler, explaining that there’s no other adult in the apartment.

The officer repeatedly tells Oakry to put the child down. not allowed in here!”