In a tragic incident that occurred in October 2021, Jason Jones, a 29-year-old man from Catskill, upstate New York, died after being tased by a police officer, causing him to catch fire. After spending six weeks in intensive care, Jones was taken off life support in December 2021. The state attorney general's office announced on Friday that police officers involved in the incident would not face criminal charges, as a prosecutor would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers had committed crimes.

The attorney general's office, however, recommended that police officers receive new training on the safe use of stun guns, as the investigation revealed that their training did not warn them against using a Taser around hand sanitizer. The incident has sparked controversy, with Jones' family disputing the report's findings and filing a pending lawsuit against the town of Catskill and three officers.

On October 29, 2021, officers in Catskill responded to a 911 report about an unruly patron at a local bar. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers escorted Jones outside, but he managed to escape and run to the police station nearby. Once inside the police station lobby, Jones continued his unruly behavior, pounding on windows and overturning a table. He then proceeded to remove some of his clothes and douse himself with alcohol-based hand sanitizer that was present in the lobby.

Concerned that Jones posed a danger to himself or others, the officers made the decision to take him into custody. One of the officers shot Jones with a stun gun, resulting in his head and upper body bursting into flames for approximately 25 seconds. The officers appeared startled and quickly left the lobby to find a fire extinguisher. Graphic video footage captured the horrifying incident, showing Jones putting out the flames himself before being taken to the hospital for treatment.

Kevin Luibrand, the lawyer representing Jones' family, expressed their dissatisfaction with the report's conclusions, stating that there was no conversation or discussion among the officers before the use of the stun gun. Luibrand argued that the use of the stun gun was reactive and wholly unnecessary, and he believes that the officers could be proven guilty of committing crimes in court. Additionally, some parts of the report were deemed inconsistent with the video evidence, further fueling the family's concerns.

The attorney general's report highlighted the need for additional training on Tasers and similar devices, as well as a comprehensive study of all flammable substances that such weapons could ignite. The report recommended that the Office of Public Safety provide updated training materials promptly to all departments that utilize these weapons.

The tragic death of Jason Jones has raised important questions regarding the use of force by law enforcement and the safety protocols surrounding the use of stun guns. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether the pending lawsuit brought forward by Jones' family will shed further light on the circumstances surrounding his death and provide a sense of justice for his grieving loved ones.