A B.C. man was fighting for his life in hospital Tuesday after a police confrontation involving the use of a Taser the day before.
RCMP in Chilliwack, B.C., say they used pepper spray, batons, and an electric stun gun known as a Taser to subdue a man who appeared to be acting aggressively at a rental store.
Witnesses told CTV British Columbia that the man had been driving erratically before entering the business. They add that he became extremely agitated when he learned that police had been called.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Peter German said that when police arrived on the scene, "They encountered a very aggressive individual and the members, as we are informed at this point and time, were engaged in a very difficult struggle to control this person who was combative and aggressive."
When none of the police tactics worked, the two Mounties who initially responded had to call for back-up.
The 36-year-old man was taken to a local hospital after police subdued him. He was initially conscious and talking, but his condition worsened overnight.
The man is listed in extremely critical condition with cuts to his head.
The RCMP noted, however, it is not clear what led to the man's current medical condition.
The Mounties have been in the middle of a public firestorm since mid-October when a Polish immigrant died after a Taser incident with police.
A video recording of the incident released last week showed that RCMP officers used a Taser on Robert Dziekanski within 30 seconds of confronting him at Vancouver International Airport on Oct. 14.
Although there is no evidence to suggest that either Dziekanski's injuries or those of the man in Chilliwack were the direct result of Taser use, the Mounties noted Tuesday that they will reconsider the use of electric stun guns if research warrants.
"Should we ever be provided with any credible research or evidence that it shouldn't be used, we would certainly be in favour of a moratorium for its use," said Gary Bass, the RCMP Deputy Commissioner for the Pacific Region.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day announced on Tuesday that he will appoint Paul Kennedy -- the head of the Public Complaints Against the RCMP -- to review the use of Tasers by the Mounties.
