An unarmed teenage mourner at the wake of a 16-year-old stab victim was Tazered by armed police who suspected he was carrying a gun.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was Tazered in front of dozens of funeral-goers outside the wake of Croydon teenager Wesley Sterling at Nettlefold Hall in West Norwood last Thursday.
Shocked guests and family members told a public meeting on Tuesday how they watched on as police grabbed the unarmed youth, using the 50,000 volt stun device on him up to six times.
The youth’s family is reported to be considering making an official complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about the officers’ conduct.
Police said they were called to Norwood Road at 8pm after reports of a group of young men carrying a firearm.
The Tazered youth was arrested and charged with the public order offence of provocation of violence and obstructing police.
No further arrests were made.
The teen will appear this morning at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court for a bail hearing.
Hundreds of guests were at the party by West Norwood library after attending Wesley Sterling's funeral in Croydon earlier in the day.
Wesley, a promising footballer, was stabbed to death outside a party at the Croydon Sports Arena on April 18.
Carleto Salmons, 27, of Heath Road, Thornton Heath, has been charged with his murder.
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