A B.C. criminologist says that the use of a Taser on an 11-year-old boy in Prince George will be difficult for the Mounties to defend.
RCMP in the northern city used the Taser on the boy, a suspect in the stabbing of a 37-year-old man, on April 7.
Simon Fraser University criminologist Rob Gordon, a former police officer, told CTV News that the using a stun gun on a child is tough to justify.
"It is an awful precedent and a good example of an unnecessary use of that weapon," Gordon said.
"I cannot, in all honesty, think of a situation where it would be necessary to use a Taser on an 11-year-old child in a policing context. And given my history, I do have an understanding of what that policing context might be."
CTV News has learned that the officer who fired the stun gun has used the weapon before in his 18 months on the force. He's been placed on desk duty while West Vancouver police investigate the incident, but as of Friday, had yet to be interviewed.
The mother and step-father of the boy say he has a heart condition.
"With the stun gun, it could have killed him," his mother told CTV News.
The incident happened at a residential facility run by Taborview Programs. On the day of the incident, the boy left the residence and went into a trailer on the property; when a worker went in after him, he was stabbed.
The boy then fled to a vacant house, where he shouted threats at police. When he eventually came out, he was hit with the Taser.
The company's website describes Taborview as a residential resource that helps young people make positive changes and offers work experiences at the company's other businesses.
Taborview is owned by entrepreneur George Hoover, who owns Shooters liquor stores and bars around Prince George.
CTV News has been unable to reach Hoover at his home or office for comment.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Norma Reid
