tomdonahoe
05-25-2004, 07:44 AM
Former Dolphin charged with fighting police
By Vicky Agnew
Staff Writer
Posted May 25 2004
Former Miami Dolphins safety Gene Atkins was shot with a Taser stun gun and jailed late Sunday after fighting with police officers at his home during a domestic violence call, Pembroke Pines police said.
Atkins, 39, faces 20 criminal charges, including battery, false imprisonment, resisting arrest with violence and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. He remains in the Broward County jail, denied bail on at least one charge.
Atkins' wife, who requested that police not release her name or address, called 911 shortly before 10 p.m. after Atkins chased her into a bedroom. She told police Atkins hit her in the face, choked her, pushed her into a wall and tried to keep her from leaving the house, police said.
Officers arrived and called Atkins on the phone to question him about the 911 call. His wife ran outside, and one of the officers went to the door. The officer tried to arrest him, but he refused, saying he wasn't "going to jail tonight," police said.
Atkins then punched the officer in the neck and slammed the front door. Police took the keys from Atkins wife and went inside, where they found Atkins at the top of a stairway holding four knives. One of the officers shot Atkins with a Taser, but Atkins crawled down a hallway and fled into a bedroom, the report said.
When the officer kicked in the door, Atkins shoved him into a bathroom and then went to another bedroom. He barricaded himself for several hours before surrendering, police said.
"Domestic violence calls have always been one of the more dangerous calls that a police officer can respond to," Capt. Dave Golt said. "We don't really know what we're walking into. Tempers are usually flared."
In 2002, Atkins was acquitted of charges he hired people to firebomb his former business partner's home.
Atkins played safety for the Dolphins from 1994 to 1996. In 1994, he started 15 regular-season games. Atkins joined the Dolphins after playing seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Staff Writer Pat Lammer contributed to this story.
By Vicky Agnew
Staff Writer
Posted May 25 2004
Former Miami Dolphins safety Gene Atkins was shot with a Taser stun gun and jailed late Sunday after fighting with police officers at his home during a domestic violence call, Pembroke Pines police said.
Atkins, 39, faces 20 criminal charges, including battery, false imprisonment, resisting arrest with violence and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. He remains in the Broward County jail, denied bail on at least one charge.
Atkins' wife, who requested that police not release her name or address, called 911 shortly before 10 p.m. after Atkins chased her into a bedroom. She told police Atkins hit her in the face, choked her, pushed her into a wall and tried to keep her from leaving the house, police said.
Officers arrived and called Atkins on the phone to question him about the 911 call. His wife ran outside, and one of the officers went to the door. The officer tried to arrest him, but he refused, saying he wasn't "going to jail tonight," police said.
Atkins then punched the officer in the neck and slammed the front door. Police took the keys from Atkins wife and went inside, where they found Atkins at the top of a stairway holding four knives. One of the officers shot Atkins with a Taser, but Atkins crawled down a hallway and fled into a bedroom, the report said.
When the officer kicked in the door, Atkins shoved him into a bathroom and then went to another bedroom. He barricaded himself for several hours before surrendering, police said.
"Domestic violence calls have always been one of the more dangerous calls that a police officer can respond to," Capt. Dave Golt said. "We don't really know what we're walking into. Tempers are usually flared."
In 2002, Atkins was acquitted of charges he hired people to firebomb his former business partner's home.
Atkins played safety for the Dolphins from 1994 to 1996. In 1994, he started 15 regular-season games. Atkins joined the Dolphins after playing seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Staff Writer Pat Lammer contributed to this story.