Father Suing Police After Son Dies Following Use Of Stun Gun

(CBS) -- It's been a little more than a month since a father believes his son died as a result of what he says is police misconduct and that father is going public for the first time.

He says it's to try and insure that what happened to his child, doesn't happen to anyone else. CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli has this Original Report.

"We were also advised his heart had stopped multiple times so his chances of recovering and getting back to his original physical condition were slim to none," said Dominique Franklin.

Franklin is talking about his oldest son and namesake Dominique Franklin Jr. The 23-year-old was spotted stealing a bottle of vodka from a Walgreens last month. Police were called and when they caught up with Franklin a struggle ensued.

"He ultimately was tazed twice. On the second tazing he fell forward and struck a light pole," said Franklin Sr.

Franklin Jr. slammed into the pole head first and fell to the street. His arms were quivering but he was otherwise unresponsive according to medical reports. But the Sauk Village father says what happened next is what angers him the most.

"Per the ambulance report, it was the time was estimated at 15 to 20 minutes before he was offered any medical assistance," said Franklin.

Witnesses shot video of the aftermath where you can see Franklin Junior lying in the street as police officers stand around him. Witnesses interviewed on the evening of the event claim no one appeared to be offering to help. That's why Franklin is now suing the city.

"It's my intent with legal counsel to find out what happened. It's a duty I owe to my father and our family to find out why my son met an early death," he said.

At one point before the ambulance arrived, witnesses say a police officer did attempt to do chest compressions on Franklin Junior. The Independent Police Review Authority investigating.