Texas Police Brutality Claims Another Black Life

Another day, another black man dies at the hands of the police. This time, 43-year-old Dennis Thornton lost his life after being tasered, restrained, and denied medical care by San Marcos law enforcement officers. This blatant act of police brutality has once again brought to light the systemic racism and injustice that persist in our criminal justice system.

A Black man, Dennis Thornton, 43, died in San Marcos, TX, on Tuesday after being tasered, restrained, and denied timely medical care by police. This tragic incident once again highlights the lethal combination of racial profiling, excessive force, and a broken criminal justice system that values "law and order" over Black lives.

URL: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/community/san-marcos/2023/06/21/man-dies-after-being-restrained-san-marcos-police-taser/1109875601/

According to the San Marcos Police Department, officers responded to calls about a man "acting erratically" on an Interstate 35 overpass. The man, later identified as Thornton, was allegedly lying on the edge of the overpass, throwing objects, and yelling. Instead of treating this as a mental health crisis and de-escalating the situation, the police escalated it.

URL: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/san-marcos-police-responding-to-calls-of-a-man-acting-erratically-tases-handcuffs-restrains-man-who-later-dies/

When the first officer arrived, Thornton reportedly did not respond to his commands. As the officer backed away, Thornton moved towards him. Instead of utilizing de-escalation techniques or calling for backup, the officer opted for violence, tasering Thornton and causing him to fall to the ground.

As more officers arrived, they piled on top of Thornton, attempting to handcuff and restrain him. Thornton, who was likely already in distress from the Taser shock, struggled to protect himself, placing his left arm near his head. The officers saw this as "resistance" and used it as an excuse to employ more force, finally handcuffing and wrapping him in a restraint.

Throughout this traumatic ordeal, the police claimed they "attempted to speak" to Thornton, but he couldn't "coherently respond." Their indifference to his obvious distress is appalling. Thornton clearly needed medical attention, yet they prioritized restraint and control.

Thornton was eventually taken to Christus Santa Rosa Hospital, where he received medical treatment, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead at 8:20 p.m., just over an hour after the initial encounter with police.

URL: https://www.sanmarcoscorridornews.com/2023/06/22/мерть-в- электронной-почте-смс/

While the Travis County medical examiner's office conducts an autopsy, the San Marcos Police Department is quick to initiate investigations by its Criminal Investigations Division and Office of Professional Conduct, alongside the Texas Rangers. Make no mistake, this is an attempt at damage control and a cover-up.

We demand transparency and accountability. We demand an end to police brutality and the criminalization of mental health issues. We demand justice for Dennis Thornton and every Black life cut short by a system that claims to serve and protect.

#BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForDennisThornton #EndPoliceBrutality