POLICE - MAN SEEMED TO REACH FOR KNIFE BEFORE OFFICER FIRED TASER

BOULDER - A 22-year-old man who died after a police officer shot him
with a stun gun had appeared to be grabbing a knife clipped to his
pants, Lafayette police said.

Ryan Wilson died Aug. 4 after running more than a half-mile from
officers responding to a tip that marijuana was being grown in a field
in Louisville.

Boulder County Coroner Thomas Faure concluded Wilson died of an
irregular heartbeat caused by a combination of exertion, the stun-gun
shock and a heart condition present since birth.

District Attorney Mary Lacy said Friday that prosecutors have not yet
decided whether to file criminal charges against officer John Harris,
who fired the Taser.

Harris, who was placed on paid leave after Wilson died, returned to
desk duty Monday.

Lafayette police said in a written statement Friday that it has
policies to keep the public and officers safe. "That Mr. Wilson died
despite the appropriate use of these policies and procedures is truly
regrettable," police said in the statement.

Wilson's stepmother Monique Vanrhyn questioned whether a knife really
was involved and suggested that the knife was a police attempt to
"cover their butts."