Distraught teen tries to Taser police officer

Winnipeg police say an officer narrowly missed being Tasered in the face by a suspect who took the weapon from police during a scuffle.

It happened after police spotted an injured male staggering in the area of Boyd Avenue and Powers Street during a patrol in the North End.

Further down on Boyd, police found a 19-year-old with a baseball bat who they believed had assaulted the victim in the upper body, said police spokesperson Const. Jason Michalyshen.

Police believe the teen damaged property before attacking the first victim with a baseball bat.

"The suspect was advised to drop the weapon numerous times, which he refused. He then began walking toward officers and challenging them while still armed with the bat," said Michalyshen.

Police used a stun gun on the teen but the probes did not deliver a shock, possibly because of the teen's thick clothing, Michalyshen said.

There was a scuffle and the suspect was able to get a hold of another officer's other stun gun, which he aimed and shot in the direction of an officer's face.

The police officer narrowly missed being shocked, Michalyshen said.

"I think it's important that we acknowledge incidents like this where members are placed in some potentially critical incidents," Michalyshen said.

Police believe an argument with a family member may have triggered Sunday's events.

"So it does appear that he was distraught or upset," said Michalyshen.

Two police officers were taken to hospital with minor injuries and released.

The 19-year-old faces 21 charges, including four counts of assaulting a police officer. A female youth is also in custody for trying to intervene in the struggle between the teen and police.