An investigation has been launched after a man shot with a Taser by police officers died after an incident outside a homeless hostel in Argoed. A woman’s death during the same incident is being treated as murder.
Gwent Police were called to an incident at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel in High Street, Argoed, at 1.23am on Thursday November 6 after reports that a man was attacking a woman.
Both were still at the scene when police arrived and officers fired a Taser at the man and arrested him.
The woman was found with injuries but has since been pronounced dead.
Whilst under arrest, police said, the 34-year-old man from Blackwood became unresponsive and officers and paramedics administered first aid but has since been pronounced deceased.
The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Gwent Police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, and an investigation is underway.
A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “We are still in the process of identifying the woman and informing next of kin.”
The Welsh Ambulance Service has confirmed the man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene.
Cllr Leon Gardiner, who represents the Argoed ward, told the Press Association the community had been “hit for six” by the deaths.
He said: “When I heard that two people had died, I couldn’t believe it. Everyone is totally stunned by what has happened.
“It’s a shock because Argoed is a lovely place to live and I’ve never known anything like this to happen here before.”
Cllr Gardiner, who is the Deputy Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough, said he felt sorry for the owners of the Sirhowy Arms
He added: “They’ve done a smashing job – especially with the renovations in the past couple of years.
“It’s a B&B but has been used as a hostel for homeless people. It’s run magnificently.”
Tasers
Gwent Police first introduced the use of Tasers by officers in 2005.
The weapon fires a 50,000 volt charge which goes through the body causing temporary incapacity.
Anti-Taser campaigners say the weapon is potentially fatal with questions of its use by police being asked by human rights group Amnesty International.
The organisation has previously called for tighter restrictions on its use by police
why aint names been released?
i live near this and its so shocking and sicking i feel so sorry for the woman epically what that man did http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cannibal-killer-found-chewing-womans-4581884?ICID=FB_mirror_main
shut it down they should after this hence theres always drunks and druggies hanging around there..!
These people are coming out of prison and living in the middle of communities like ty croeso in newbridge. We don’t want it.
http://survey.gwent.pcc.police.uk/index.php?sid=18221&lang=en
A woman is murdered and all you seem to be interested is that for probably a very good reason a man was tazered.
Would you prefer someone to risk their life trying to disarm people intent on serious violence? Do people honestly think that in these situations it should go like this ” excuse me sir but do you have any health problems because I am rather concerned by you waving that large knife at us and might have to taser you to prevent further bloodshed”
The Police officers who attended this horrific scene have to be applauded for thier actions, especially the officer who fired his taser to prevent further abuse of the victim.
I, for one, have been vocal in my critisism, on occassion, of the Gwent Police, Who has`nt?, but it is incidents such as this that should bring it home to all residents in Gwent what real life situations Police Officers have to deal with day in day out.
Once the PCC have finished thier investigation into the death in custody of this real life Hanibal Lector, and have exonerated the police officers from any blame whatsoever, and, considering the curcumstances of that death they certainly will, the Gwent Chief Constable, and our elected Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston, should make preparations to confer on the officers involved the highest possible award for carrying out thier duty to the citizens of the County, lets hope the officers have the best possible counselling available if they need it, it is time for all residents to think about these public guardians and the victim in this case, not the cretinous animal who perpetrated this horrific act, he no longer exists, I also dont think it is time for a knee jerk reaction against the people who use this facility in Argoed. Remember this incident was nothing to do with them.