John Paul Kaafi

How they died

Less-than-lethal force

Officer Juan Jaimes arrested Kaafi during a traffic stop for drug possession. He called Officers Adam Arena and Laura Markey for backup. Jaimes shot Kaafi three times with a Taser for resisting arrest. When Kaafi claimed to suffer asthma, Jaimes called EMS, then cancelled aid. Tim Bess, driver of the car, alleged that officers told him to write a false statement. On the drive to jail, Kaafi escaped the police car. He was shot again with a Taser, struck with a flashlight and recaptured. Before he was jailed, Kaafi complained again of asthma. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that John Paul Kaafi, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources