MPD Officer On Administrative Duty After Tasing Deaf Man

Mobile Police says one officer involved in the tasing of a deaf and mentally impaired man has been placed on administrative duty. The investigation is not over yet.

The tasing took place on July 24 at the Dollar General Store on Azalea Road. A store manager called police and said that a man was taking too long in a restroom. Antonio Love was using the restroom, because he had stomach problems. He is deaf and mentally handicapped. Police officers tried to get Love to open the door, but his mother said he could not communicate with them. Officers pried open the door, but Love kept trying to shut it. He told his mother he thought the devil was trying to get him. Officers then used pepper spray and tased Love to get him out of the restroom. Love's family says officers then took the man to the police station. The family has filed a formal complaint with the department. Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett says he wants the investigation put on the fast track.

The name of the officer placed on administrative duty has not been released. Police say they will release more information when the internal investigation is finished.