Dalian Atkinson has died from cardiac arrest after being shot with a taser by police in Telford, Shropshire, England. The former Premier League star was 48 years old.
Atkinson was tasered outside of his father’s home after police responded to calls from neighbors fearing for a man’s safety in the area. He was treated by paramedics, but was pronounced dead at a hospital 90 minutes after being tasered. A witness told the BBC that she felt the way Atkinson approached officers was “non-threatening,” while the Independent Police Complaints Commission, a police watchdog group, says they’re investigating the incident.
In 1992, while playing for Aston Villa, Atkinson scored the goal he’s best remembered for. His 60-yard individual run and chipped finish in an FA Cup match against Wimbledon was voted the goal of the 1992-93 season by Match of the Day viewers.
Atkinson starred for Villa in that season, helping them to a second-place finish, and he scored for them in the UEFA Cup the following season. Over his 15-year professional career, Atkinson played in England, Spain, Turkey, France, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.