Fatal Louisiana Fire Prompts Review Due to Litigation Concerns

A fatal Louisiana fire has prompted a review for a possible lawsuit.

City Administrator Bob Jenne says the city’s insurance carrier and its attorneys are looking at potential litigation surrounding the use of a stun gun during the fire.

Three-year-old Riley Jeffrey Rieser Miller died during the blaze at 405 South Main early the morning of October 31.

Jenne said that Louisiana Police Officer William Harrison used an electroshock weapon to keep the boy’s stepfather from re-entering the house in an effort to save the child.
Sergeant Jeffrey Salois also was on the scene. The two officers remain on active duty. The victim’s family has said the stepfather was tazed two additional times. Jenne said he was told the stun gun was used more than once, but he wasn’t sure how many times because he was awaiting a final report from the officers and the chief of police.

The state fire marshal’s office has ruled the fire accidental and said there were no signs of arson or foul play. The office will issue a final report in two or three weeks. An autopsy was done, but the results have not been released.