DENVER (KDVR) — A man who was struck by a Colorado Springs police officer’s stun gun before he fell and broke his neck is now suing the officer and claiming his constitutional rights were violated.

The incident left Jacob Root a quadriplegic. He blames Colorado Springs Police Officer Robert Comstock, who was the officer who used his Taser, or stun gun, against Root.

“I’m not independent, I can’t feed myself,” Root said during a Tuesday press conference in Denver, his first time speaking publicly about the lawsuit since it was filed in May. “Growing up, being able to do gymnastics, to being stuck in a chair. I mean, I was free. Now, I’m stuck.”

An internal investigation by the department found that Comstock did not violate any policies, and the agency called Comstock a “valued employee” and said he is “in good standing with the department.”

The police department shared body-worn camera footage of the events of May 16, 2022, and released a narrative of events that matches the civil lawsuit’s allegations.

Both parties agreed that officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) first contacted Root after locating a stolen car outside a Super 8 Motel on Aeroplaza Drive. Officers affixed a tracking device to the car and followed it to another location. Officers attempted to block the car from leaving the parking lot, but the car was able to get around a cruiser, causing damage to the officer’s vehicle.

Officers did not pursue the car but tracked it to a Kum & Go gas station on Airport Road. Officers saw Root exit the vehicle and go into the convenience store. When Root came back outside, Officer Comstock was walking toward the front entrance of the gas station. When Root saw the officers, he began to run and officers pursued him.

Jacob Root is suing a Colorado Springs police officer after he was hit by a stun gun, fell and was paralyzed (KDVR)

Root’s lawsuit alleges Comstock didn’t follow policy

In his lawsuit, Root’s attorneys said he was “running down the elevated slope dividing the gas station from the sidewalk on Airport Road. The slope dividing the gas station from the sidewalk was covered in dirt and uneven rocks.”

The body-worn camera footage shows an area between the parking lot and the sidewalk filled with large, round landscaping rocks. It is not clear from the video if there is a slope.

Officers can be heard yelling commands to Root, including saying there is a police K-9 deployed, that he would get bit and to “get on the ground.” As Root ran over the rocky area, Comstock deployed his stun gun, making contact with Root, who then fell to the pavement.

Root’s lawsuit alleges Comstock did not follow policy when he did not specifically warn Root that he would be hit by a stun gun, and also for using it while Root was on an uneven surface where he could fall and get hurt.

CSPD responded in part by saying, “While our goal is to complete every call for service in a safe manner, unfortunately the suspect sustained injuries during his attempt to flee officers, who were readily identifiable and had commanded him to stop.”

Root is seeking $100 million from Comstock, in addition to the revocation of his Peace Officer Standards and Training certification, which would prevent the officer from working in law enforcement.