Father doesn't fault deputies for shocking son with Taser

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The father of a Hays County teen who was shocked with a Taser said he does not fault the deputies for taking the measures.

On Monday a Hays County sheriff's deputy used the device on a 16-year-old student at Hays High School, because the boy was reported to be destroying school property. When an officer tried to stop him, he resisted and, according to the boy's father, accidentally head-butted the deputy. The deputy then struck the teen with the Taser.

Ken Thomas, the teen's father, said he wants the public to know that his son had been having emotional issues. He was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and suffers from panic attacks.

"I would much rather them use a Taser to subdue him and get him down on the ground and keep him from running out in the street, where vehicles are going by at 55 mph or more," Thomas said. "He gets hit by a truck, and I've got to bury my son. At least this way he gets out of the hospital, and I've still got him."

Charges have not been brought against the teen, but police said they are considering a charge of criminal mischief or assault on a peace officer.