Family members of a Florida woman, who was disarmed by police using a Taser and then died, say they agree with the use of force.
But neighbors say it was too much.
Police were called to Emily Marie Delafield's Green Cove Springs, Fla., home Monday evening after an argument with family.
The Jacksonville Times-Union reports the woman, who was in a wheelchair and suffered from schizophrenia, was armed with two knives and a hammer outside her house when police arrived.
After two officers tried to talk Delafield into handing over the weapons, she took off down the street.
That's when they decided to use the Taser, which sends a 50,000-volt shock into the recipient.
Minutes later she collapsed and died at Orange Park Medical Center.
Her brother, Arnett Chase, said he doesn't blame police for choosing the Taser to disarm Delafield, who was 56-years-old.
But many neighbors echoed longtime friend Frankie Goodman who said, "Police ... could have handled it a better way."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the incident.
The two officers have been placed on paid leave.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
