Man, 18, dies from police Taser

An 18-year-old man died after he was Tasered twice by police during a confrontation earlier today in Northeast Philadelphia.

Police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said cops responded to a report of a person with a weapon at 6925 Souder St. about noon. It was the 14th time police had been called to that property this year, for a variety of domestic problems, he said.

When the officers arrived today, Vanore said, they encountered Patrick Johnson, who was irate and trying to set tree branches on fire using a kitchen stove.

Johnson ignored repeated orders from the cops to calm down, Vanore said. He lunged at the officers and was Tasered, but the jolt apparently had no effect, as he continued lumbering through the house, Vanore said.

Early reports indicated that Johnson had a gun but Vanore said that was incorrect. Johnson was holding a stick when he lunged at police, Vanore said.

He lunged at the cops again a short while later, and dropped to the ground after being Tasered a second time, Vanore said.

Johnson died at Nazareth Hospital at 1:10 p.m. Vanore noted that the cause of death had not yet been determined. The incident is being investigating by the Homicide Unit, he said.