Man dies from injuries after Brooklyn Center police deploy Taser

A 57-year-old St. Paul man died from hitting his head on the ground after Brooklyn Center police deployed a Taser on him Jan. 16, the department announced Friday.

According to law enforcement, Brooklyn Center police responded to multiple calls that night regarding a group with possible weapons fighting in a parking lot on the 5800 block of Xerxes Ave. N.

Upon arrival to the scene, police said Sinth Khottavongsa was "holding a crowbar in a threatening manner."  Khottavongsa refused to drop the crowbar after police ordered him to multiple times, which is when an officer deployed his Taser on him.

Khottavongsa subsequently hit his head against the ground after falling, and died two days later. According to the Medical Examiner, he died from a "blunt force head injury."

"Sinth was a compassionate and generous person," his family said on their gofundme site. "Those who knew him best also remember him as a selfless, caring, and loving individual. His contagious smile and humor brought joy to many lives."

About an hour after the incident, police were notified that Khottavongsa's head injury was life-threatening, and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office was contacted to carry out an external investigation.

The family created a "go fund me" page to raise money for funeral expenses and accrued medical expenses. To donate go to www.gofundme.com/sinth