Charges: Deputies hit by taser while responding to crossbow threat

Two Blue Earth County Sheriff’s deputies were allegedly hit by a taser as they struggled to arrest a Mankato man who had threatened a family member with a crossbow.

Samuel Richard Deegan, 26, was identified as the man deputies arrested after the incident. He’s been charged in Blue Earth County Court with felony counts of second-degree assault, disarming a peace officer, and threats of violence.

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to a home in Rapidan for a domestic assault report when Deegan approached one of the deputies with a crossbow. Deegan put the bow down when ordered, but was tased when he ran towards a group of bystanders.

The complaint says Deegan was ordered to stay on the ground, but he began running away and was tased a second time.

When another deputy arrived on the scene, both officers attempted to get control of Deegan, but he resisted, said the complaint. As he continued to struggle with police, he was tased a third time.

Court documents say Deegan continued to fight with the deputies and became entangled in the taser wires. He allegedly grabbed hold of one of a taser and activated it, sending a charge up one deputy’s arm to his neck. The other deputy was tased in the hand, according to the charging document.

The complaint says Deegan continued to fight deputies as they loaded him into the squad car, so a drive-stun was used to subdue him. Deegan was transported by officers to a local hospital, where he allegedly admitted to using marijuana.

A family member told police Deegan had had days to vacate a camper but was refusing to pack. When the family member confronted Deegan, he said: “If you want to get physical, I’ll shoot you with my crossbow,” according to the complaint.

Deegan is also charged with obstructing the legal process, fleeing a police officer, and domestic assault, all misdemeanors.

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