Police officers in upstate New York will not face criminal charges in connection with the death of Jason Jones, a man who tragically caught on fire after dousing himself with hand sanitizer when a stun gun was shot at him, according to the state attorney general’s office. The incident occurred at the Catskill police station in December 2021, and Jones, 29, spent six weeks in intensive care before being taken off life support. Attorney General Letitia James’ office released a report on the incident, stating that a prosecutor would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers committed crimes.
The report also highlighted the need for new training on the safe use of stun guns for police officers, as their current training did not caution against using a Taser in the presence of hand sanitizer. Jones’ family, however, disputes the report’s findings and has a pending lawsuit against the town of Catskill and three officers.
The events leading to Jones’ death started when police responded to a 911 report about an unruly patron at a local bar on October 29, 2021. After being escorted outside, Jones ran to the police station and became increasingly unruly in the lobby. The officers attempted to calm him down, but Jones took alcohol-based hand sanitizer from the lobby and spread it on himself. Concerned for his safety and the safety of others, the officers decided to take him into custody. It was during this process that one officer shot Jones with a stun gun, causing his head and upper body to burst into flames for approximately 25 seconds.
Graphic video footage captured the incident, showing Jones extinguishing the flames himself before being taken to the hospital. The report acknowledged the officers’ startled reaction and their immediate search for a fire extinguisher. However, Kevin Luibrand, the lawyer representing Jones’ family, expressed disagreement with the report’s findings, claiming that the stun gun use was unnecessary and reactive. Luibrand also highlighted inconsistencies between the report and the video evidence.
The conclusion of the investigation has left Jones’ family dissatisfied, particularly given the duration of the investigation and the recent passing of Jones’ mother. They believe that the officers should be held accountable and are confident that their claims can be proven in court.
While the report recommends additional training for police officers regarding the safe use of stun guns, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact future protocols and procedures in law enforcement.
