The family of a Florida teen who died after being Tasered by police wants answers from authorities in Miami Beach . Miami Beach police said officers spotted aspiring artist Israel Hernandez spray-painting the side of a vacant McDonald 's off Collins Avenue , the city 's main drag . Hernandez led them on a foot chase , ignoring commands to stop , until he was cornered , they said . `` In order to affect his arrest , an officer deployed his conducted electrical weapon ( TASER ) , '' police said in a prepared statement . But afterward , Hernandez `` displayed signs of medical duress '' and was taken to a nearby hospital , where he was pronounced dead around 6 a.m. Tuesday . `` We 're in a country that defends human rights -- a country that sets an example and dares to ask countries that use excessive force , '' his father , also named Israel Hernandez , told CNN . `` That is my son 's case . Excessive force . '' Hernandez and his family moved from Colombia to the United States for a safer life . Now the family is mourning the 18-year-old , whose artwork packs their home . `` He was an amazing artist , a very passionate person , a very passionate artist , '' said his sister , Offir Hernandez . `` It 's unfair to end his life for something he loved . '' Miami Beach police say they have an `` open and ongoing investigation '' into Hernandez 's death . Autopsy and toxicology results for Hernandez are pending , the medical examiner 's office told CNN . Miami Beach said Friday it has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ( FDLE ) to conduct an independent review of the incident . City officials have been in contact with the Hernandez family `` to personally extend their condolences and provide assurances of a full and fair investigation , '' according to a statement . Police identified the officer who used the Taser as Jorge Mercado , who has been placed on paid administrative leave , which is routine any time a person dies in custody . `` We 've never had someone die from a tasing before , '' a police spokesman said . `` We 've only had Tasers eight or nine years . Now everyone is issued one when we start working here . '' Hernandez tagged buildings under the signature `` Reefa . '' Thiago Souza , a friend who had been acting as a lookout , said police looked `` almost like they were proud of what they did '' after subduing Hernandez . `` They 're all congratulating each other and all that , '' Souza said . `` They were all clapping over his body and like giving high fives and laughing . '' Police did not respond to a request from CNN for comment on Souza 's account . `` Electronic control devices '' such as the Taser are now common equipment among police , who say the devices give officers an option short of deadly force to subdue a suspect . Taser International Inc. , citing a 2009 study by researchers at the Wake Forest University medical school , says fewer than 1 % of those shocked with a Taser or similar device suffer any injury . A 2006 report by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement concluded that ECDs `` are not likely to cause serious injury or loss of life for suspects or law enforcement officers , except in situations where certain medical conditions and drug use are factors . '' But human rights group Amnesty International says 42 people in the United States died after being shocked with Tasers in 2012 , with more than 540 deaths since 2001 . Hernandez is not without critics . Many commenters on Miami news outlets defended the officers , saying Hernandez should have complied with police commands . But Hernandez 's girlfriend , who asked to be identified only as `` Alexandria , '' said he was `` the farthest thing from a thug . '' `` He ran because he was scared , '' she said . `` You know , he 's just a kid . He only weighed 140 pounds . He was just a child in so many ways . He was such a pure and innocent person . '' Read more : Police embracing tech that predicts crimes .
Israel Hernandez died after police shocked him with a Taser . The Miami Beach teenager was spotted spray-painting a vacant building . Police say he refused commands to stop and led them on a foot chase . A Florida teen who allegedly sprayed graffiti in the face of an officer has been charged with aggravated assault for his role in the incident.