Sheriff defends use of stun gun on 13-year-old runaway, says boy bit deputy

SAN DIEGO – San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said Monday a deputy used a Taser during a struggle with a runaway 13-year-old because the boy had bit him.

Video was posted online of a  deputy using a Taser on the boy Saturday in Fallbrook, Calif.



According to FOX 5 in San Diego, Gore said deputy Jeffery Banks received a missing persons report from the mother of the teen and went to 1133 S. Mission Avenue, a popular hangout for skateboarders, where he was located.

When the deputy asked the teen to get into the patrol car in order to take him home the teen resisted and a “struggle ensued,” Gore said.

In an attempt to handcuff the teen, Banks ended up wrestling him to the ground while asking for backup, according to the sheriff.  The teen ended up biting the deputy in the arm.

The deputy used a Taser to subdue the teen, which “caused minimal damage to the suspect and was then taken into custody,” Gore said.

The teen was taken to Temecula Valley Hospital for examination. He was then released to juvenile hall and was charged with resisting arrest.

Upon being notified of her son’s arrest, the mother apologized for his behavior, Gore said, adding the teen had been reported missing five other times.

Gore said Banks will not be placed on administrative leave.

Gore said he would release photographs of the deputy's bite marks.