Security camera footage captured the moments when Gloria Huntington’s 27-year-old son was holding a metal rod as deputies aimed tasers at him.
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Gloria Huntington looks back in disgust at the security footage of her autistic son being confronted and arrested by law enforcement in the front yard.
“He didn’t understand what was going on, he didn’t understand why his arms were behind his back in cuffs. It was difficult to watch,” Gloria said.
On March 5, Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported burglary in progress at 107 Mallow Grove on the far west side.
The complainant’s wife took photos of the suspect who was later identified as Gloria’s son, 27-year-old Tyler Huntington.
Three deputies approached Tyler in the driveway of 219 Cedron Chase, who was accompanied by his mom and her sister.
Tyler was holding an aluminum rod, which deputies later learned he actually owned.
The garage door surveillance video shows the moments when deputies aim their tasers at Tyler who is holding the metal railing.
“I released the video (on social media) because there needs to be change,” Gloria said. “They take out their tasers and they’re telling him to drop what he has in his hand.”
Gloria described her son as distressed and confused amid the chaos. She and her sister wasted no time getting involved in the tense situation.
“I then step in with my arms up and say no, no, no. My sister said he’s autistic, he’s autistic,” Gloria said.
One of the deputies yanked the metal rod out of Tyler’s grasp while another grabbed and cuffed him.
Deputies ended up detaining Gloria in the process of the investigation.
Gloria was left in the dark as to which hospital her son was taken to and took issue with Tyler being sedated without her knowledge or consent she’s his medical representative.
She’s baffled by the whole ordeal, especially knowing that in previous police encounters, deputies knew Tyler was autistic and treated him in a calmer manner.
According to BCSO, Tyler was taken to the Bexar County jail, but he was medically rejected by an intake nurse. Charges could be pending.
A BCSO representative provided this statement in response to the March 5 incident, which defends the deputies’ actions.
“The investigation remains ongoing, and the deputies who responded to the incident acted in good faith based on the information they were given by the complainant, which included footage of Tyler being on the complainant’s property. Tyler’s mother would later provide a receipt confirming that the property Tyler had in his possession belonged to him.”
Gloria has plans to meet with BCSO officials on Tuesday to formalize her complaint against the deputies seen interacting with Tyler in the video. She’s now demanding BCSO and law enforcement in general to improve their training when it comes to working with people with special needs.
“Better communication in all jurisdictions to dealing with children or adults with special needs. I think there should be a certain way that they need to handle people with disabilities.”