Dante Parker
Birth date:
August 14, 1977
Death date:
August 12, 2014
Age at Death:
36
About
Dante Parker was married to Bianca Parker and father of five children ages 6-17. He worked as a pressman at the Daily Press Newspaper. He was well liked by his coworkers and employers, who released a statement saying “He'll be extremely missed.” He reportedly had a good sense of humor and loved to sing while he worked.
Dante Parker fit the description identified by a 9-1-1 caller of a man that tried to break into an occupied home. Deputies saw Parker riding away from the home on a child-sized bicycle (later found to be his son’s) and attempted to speak to him. According to the deputies, Parker refused to cooperate and physically resisted being detained. Parker was reportedly tasered at least 25 times before being taken to the hospital. Parker later died; the autopsy concluded his death was a result of high levels of PCP and low levels of cannabis in his blood which exacerbated a heart condition.
Was justice served?
As of February, 2021, no punishment was given to the officers involved, who were acquitted on August 24th 2015. Prosecutors announced that the deputies actions were determined to be justified given the circumstances and that the drug (PCP) and not the taser, was the main cause of Parker’s death. Parker’s family filed a lawsuit in January, 2015 alleging ten civil rights violations.