Local police have launched what they describe as an “extensive investigation” into the death of a suspect who was shocked Wednesday night by a police Taser.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Thursday identified the dead man as 21-year-old Lareko Antonious Williams.

According to a statement released Thursday by Chief Rodney Monroe, the department will test all CMPD Tasers – including the one used on Williams -- to ensure that they are working properly.

The investigation also will focus on:

• whether the arresting officer followed all CMPD policies and procedures
• whether the officer had sufficient cause to use the Taser
• and, ultimately, what killed Williams.

Monroe said the Taser used on Williams would be sent to an independent laboratory.

The police chief also said his department would review its policies and procedures to ensure compliance with best practices established by both the Police Executive Research Forum and the National Institute of Justice.

Monroe said the entire investigation could take 30 to 45 days.

Meanwhile, a medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine what killed Williams.

According to police reports, Williams was seen assaulting a female at the Lynx Blue Line Station at Woodlawn when police received a call from witnesses. When an officer attempted to arrest him, according to CMPD, Williams resisted and the officer used a Taser to subdue him.

After Williams was taken into custody, police said, the arresting officer noticed that he was “unresponsive” and called paramedics. Williams was pronounced dead at Carolinas Medical Center about an hour after he was shocked.

Police identified the arresting officer as Michael Forbes of the Westover Division. Forbes joined CMPD in September 2007.

“It is understood that this is a difficult time for the family of Mr. Williams, Officer Forbes and our community at large,” Monroe said in a statement released to the media late Thursday. “However, at the same time, I maintain a high level of confidence in this Department’s ability to continue to perform our jobs with the dedication and professionalism which the community expects and deserves.”

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