Denver officials have confirmed the identity of a man who died after police used a Taser on him Monday at the Denver Zoo. An autopsy was conducted on Alonzo Ashley, 29, Wednesday, but the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.
Denver police said Tuesday that officers used a Taser on Ashley but the device was ineffective and he continued to struggle with officers until he was finally held down.
His girlfriend, who asked not to be named, denied police reports that Ashley threatened her, and she told 9News that he was getting delirious because of the extreme heat.
Some community members, including civil rights activist Alvertis Simmons, the Rev. Patrick Demmer and pastor Reginald Holmes, announced Wednesday that they plan to hold a rally outside the zoo entrance beginning at 2 p.m. Friday. Simmons said in an e-mail, “The killing of this black man is questionable at least and suspicious at best.”
