On the evening of January 29th, riders on a BART train stopped at the San Bruno station watched as an officer repeatedly used a stun gun on a man. Authorities claim the suspect was harassing riders. However, according to witnesses interviewed by KPIX, the man was harmless and had done nothing wrong.

In a statement provided to SF Weekly, a BART spokesperson described the incident differently:

An officer responded to a report of a man who was drunk and harassing patrons on a Millbrae bound train. Upon detention, the suspect because [sic] resistive and a TASER had to be used to take him into custody. A warrant check on the suspect revealed an outstanding no-bail arrest warrant out of the California Department of Corrections for parole violation. The train was held for 18 minutes. A sergeant arrived at the scene to approve the arrest and conduct the use of force investigation.

In a video posted to YouTube, the man can be seen standing in the aisle with a BART police officer ordering him to get off the train:

In an extended video in a CBS 5 report, the officer can be heard telling the man, "Don't move or I'll tase you again," ordering him to get on his stomach. Later, with more backup and the suspect handcuffed to the floor, the same officer shouts , "Tase him again!" before shocking the victim again for a full five seconds.

The incident was brought to BART's attention by an eyewitness (who later wrote about it in length on Medium). The transit agency says they will look into whether or not proper protocol was used during the melee. Per BART PD policy, tasers are only to be used if a suspect poses an immediate threat of bodily harm to an officer or another person.

The suspect was booked the same night for public intoxication and resisting arrest. He also had an outstanding warrant.

In late 2011, as you may recall, a BART police officer shot and killed homeless man Charles Hill on the platform at Civic Center Station. In 2009, BART police officer Johannes Mehserle mistook his handgun for a taser, infamously killing Oscar Grant in the process.

Previously: All Bart Police coverage on SFist.
[CBS5]
[SFWeekly]