Family of man tased by Anaheim police files wrongful death lawsuit against department

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- The family of a man who was removed from life support after being tased by Anaheim police said they are filing a wrongful death lawsuit, claiming excessive force.

Anaheim Police Chief Raul Quezada said officers were responding to a 911 call of a woman who believed Vincent Valenzuela had followed her home on July 2. Security video showed officers located Valenzuela at a laundromat.

"An officer witnessed Mr. Valenzuela discard a glass narcotic pipe in the area of the washing machines. Mr. Valenzuela also had a duffle bag at his side and began reaching into the bag. The officers could not see his hands so they told him to put his hands behind his back," Quezada said.

After that, authorities said Valenzuela resisted arrest and struggled on the floor a few moments later. Then he took off running outside of a laundry mat, and police said he was tased once in the back.

A video shows him continuing to resist officers. The attorney for Valenzuela's family claims he was tased in the chest, which caused him to go into cardiac arrest that resulted in him being placed on life support.

Valenzuela, who worked various jobs including as a cab company dispatcher and landscaper, was also a father of two young children.

"It's very hard to tell your children that their father will not be a part of their lives," Patricia Gonzalez, Valenzuela's ex-wife, said.