Coroner Examines Six Tasers in Indigenous Man's Custody Death

An Indigenous man tasered six times by Queensland police suffered fatal cardiac arrest shortly after the confrontation, a coroner's court has now heard—a case that raises significant questions about police use of force and paramedic response in custody situations.

Ashley Charles Washington, 31, died in December 2020 following a police encounter in Toowoomba. At a pre-inquest conference held by the Coroners Court in Brisbane this week, detailed evidence emerged about the circumstances surrounding his death, with investigators now examining whether current protocols adequately protected him during the confrontation.

Police located Washington in Mount Lofty after a homeowner reported him attempting to remove items from a property. When the initial responding officer instructed Washington to get on the ground, he became aggressive and stabbed the officer's police dog with surgical scissors he was carrying.

The officer deployed a Taser, causing Washington to fall briefly. However, he resisted further and struck the officer in the face and arm with the scissors. The officer deployed the Taser five more times before radioing for backup. When five additional officers arrived, they restrained Washington, forcing his legs toward his buttocks while he continued to yell and spit blood.

Paramedics then administered a sedative medication. Almost immediately after, Washington's heart rate entered rapid decline. He suffered cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at Toowoomba Base Hospital at 8:01pm.

A forensic examination revealed Washington had pre-existing coronary atherosclerosis—severe heart disease—and methamphetamine in his system in lethal ranges. The coroner ruled the cause of death undetermined, concluding that the combination of severe heart disease, the acute stress of the encounter and drug use likely triggered the fatal cardiac arrest.

Investigators from the Queensland Ambulance Service found paramedics failed to adequately observe Washington's condition after administering the sedative, though they acknowledged the dark, rainy conditions and limited visibility were challenging factors. A police internal investigation determined the responding officer acted lawfully and reasonably in the circumstances.

The case occurs within a broader pattern of Indigenous deaths in custody that has become a focal point for police accountability and reform efforts in Australia. Indigenous advocacy groups have repeatedly called for improved de-escalation training, mental-health awareness protocols and stronger medical oversight during police encounters—particularly when Tasers are deployed.

Taser safety remains contested in medical and policing circles, especially when combined with other physiological stressors like stimulant use, elevated stress hormones and pre-existing cardiac conditions. The upcoming coroner's inquest will examine whether current procedures adequately protect vulnerable people during police confrontations and whether any changes to protocols are warranted.

A three-day hearing is scheduled to begin on 29 August.