Officers suspended for use of force on man who died in custody

CANTON -- Canton Police Chief Dean McKimm says two officers were suspended because they hit and kicked a suspect in custody not because the officers used a stun gun him.

A video released by police shows officer Eric Stanbro hitting Shawn Pirolozzi while he struggled, handcuffed and bleeding. The same video shows officer William Guthrie kick Pirolozzi.

Police say Pirolozzi jumped from a second story window and ran through traffic before he was shocked with a Taser gun and subdued. Pirolozzi died after being taken to a hospital following his arrest June 13th.

McKimm says the two officers have been suspended with pay pending an internal investigation. The Stark County coroner has not yet determined Pirolozzi’s cause of death.

The Canton police union says the officers responded appropriately.