Dan Walker has divided Twitter followers after he asked if “it’s okay to taser” an 11-year-old child if they were “brandishing a knife”. Many confused followers were left wondering if Dan was facing that situation before the Channel 5 News host later clarified the context behind the tweet.
Dan explained that a child in Scotland had been tasered for holding a knife. He was later covering the story on Channel 5, but the tweet still caused a big stir online.
Dan Walker asks if ‘it’s okay to taser a child’ on Twitter
The Channel 5 News host asked: “If an 11-year-old is brandishing a knife… is it okay to taser them?” He caused a big stir on Twitter with the post, as concerned followers asked if Dan was really in that situation. One person asked: “Sorry, is this an actual live situation you’re in?”
If an 11-year-old is brandishing a knife… is it ok to taser them?
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) May 16, 2023
Another person joked: “Funny you should ask as I was wondering the exact same thing.” A third person added: “Sorry Dan only just seen this, I guess if you have to? Hope you made the right decision.”
In a new Tweet, Dan clarified: “Just for clarity… this is not a live situation. It happened in Scotland and we are covering it on 5 News today.” An 11 year old was tasered at Craig Tara Caravan Park near Ayr in March. An investigation was recently launched into the incident. Footage showed the boy holding a knife.
The real debate cause a big divide too…
Meanwhile, other followers responded to the initial question that Dan posed. Many argued they would use a taser in that situation. One person wrote: “Been stabbed, hurts a lot. Regardless of the age of the person doing the stabbing. So yeah.” A second person also added: “Yes, it is okay to taser if they fail to put down the knife after repeated warnings.” A third person argued: “Yes, no debate about it.”
But other followers disagreed. One person argued: “Personally I would say it depends on the circumstances.” Another person said: “I would like to believe that a grown adult should be able to disarm an 11-year-old. But circumstances and perspectives are unique.”
Read more: Fans rush to help Dan Walker after he admits on social media ‘this isn’t great’
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