WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — The family of Tim West, the man whose controversial death while in police custody sparked heated debate and prompted an investigation, announced that his funeral will be held this Friday, October 20. The service will be hosted by the Gregg Street Worship Center, a church situated near the site of West’s fatal encounter.
West died on October 1 after being tasered by a Washington Court House police officer. The Guardian recently obtained body camera footage of the incident after a lawsuit. The video shows West, who was a passenger in a Mustang, hastily exiting the vehicle and running towards nearby bushes. An officer confronts him without issuing a verbal warning, deploying a taser to West’s forehead. Moments later, West collapses and does not regain consciousness. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The precise cause of West’s death remains uncertain. Preliminary findings suggest blunt force trauma, but official conclusions on the nature of his death — whether accidental, a result of homicide, or undetermined — have not been publicly released.
The release of the bodycam footage, initially withheld by local authorities, has reignited intense discussions on social media and led to the release of an official police statement. While some argue that West’s decision to flee was ill-advised, many emphasize his right to life and question the officer’s actions.
Ohio’s Attorney General is now overseeing the investigation into the incident. West was found with a pocket knife, but there’s no evidence that he ever brandished it. Despite this, some officers have privately labeled him as “armed.” Speculation has also arisen regarding the driver of the Mustang, with suggestions that the individual might be an undercover operative.
West, originally from Florida, had recently moved to Washington Court House. Aside from a pending indictment for aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, West had no local criminal history. The officer who tasered West is currently on paid administrative leave, but his identity remains undisclosed. The reason for the initial traffic stop is also yet to be made public.
The Guardian is actively seeking additional details, including dashcam footage and the official incident report. West’s family, meanwhile, has conveyed their deep pain and frustration to The Guardian, emphasizing the bureaucratic challenges they faced in making funeral arrangements.
The service this Friday provides an opportunity for the community and the family to pay their respects and seek closure amidst ongoing inquiries into the circumstances of West’s death.