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Former Aston Villa player killed by police

West Murcia Police revealed that the 48-year old was killed after being fired with a taser by police officers early on Monday morning

Former Premier League footballer Dalian Atkinson attempted to murder his 85-year-old father before police Tasered him to death.

Police confirmed that officers were called to an address in Telford, western England, at around 1:30am (0030 GMT).

"Upon arrival Taser was deployed and a 48-year-old man, who subsequently received medical attention, was pronounced dead at approximately 3:00am,"said a police statement.

Neighbours said the address was the home of Atkinson's 85-year-old father Ernest.

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Eyewitnesses reported seeing the 48-year-old drunkenly stumbling towards officers shouting 'I am the Messiah' before being shot 'four or five times', even when he had fallen to the floor. Witnesses accused the police of being 'trigger happy' and claimed officers waited up to 20 minutes to call an ambulance.

One said they appeared to kick Atkinson whilst he was on the floor.

Another said Atkinson – a regular visitor to the property but understood to be living with a friend – screamed that he was homeless and appeared to be trying to kick his father’s front door down

The ambulance service said Atkinson went into cardiac arrest as he was being taken to the town's Princess Royal Hospital.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission watchdog, and is likely to trigger a debate about police use of electronic stun guns.

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Atkinson, 48, began his career at Ipswich Town, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 1989, where he made a name as a pacy and skilful striker despite the club's relegation.

He then moved to Real Sociedad, scoring 12 goals in one season before returning to England to play for Aston Villa.

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