A barefoot Michigan man accused of threatening two women, smashing windows and running from police through downtown Jackson allegedly told officers, "Please just kill me," moments before a foot chase that ended with him being tased.
Kadin James Decker, 24, made his initial appearance in Teton County Circuit Court on Monday afternoon after being charged with two counts of property destruction and one count of interference with a peace officer.
An affidavit filed by Jackson Police Officer Liam Fowler shows the incident unfolded shortly before midnight June 5 in the heart of Jackson's busy downtown district.
Foot Chase Thru Townsquare
Court records show a flurry of 911 calls came in shortly after Decker, his girlfriend and another woman spent part of the evening drinking at Jackson's Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Dispatchers told officers a shirtless man wearing black shorts and no shoes was yelling in the street near Jackson's Town Square. Callers reported the man had access to a firearm and was threatening to shoot people and himself.
When Fowler arrived, he found Decker walking eastbound near East Broadway and South King Street.
The officer noted Decker appeared to be bleeding from multiple injuries and had a large cut above his right elbow.
Fowler said he activated his emergency lights, stepped from his patrol vehicle and ordered Decker to stop.
Instead, Decker looked toward the officer and replied:
"Please just kill me."
Then he ran.
What followed was a foot pursuit through downtown Jackson as officers tried to catch the 6-foot-4, 220-pound man.
Police say Decker repeatedly ignored commands to stop.
Officer Chase Decker — no relation to the defendant — eventually joined the pursuit. The affidavit says officers warned Decker several times that he would be tased if he continued running.
He allegedly kept going.
Even after being tased, police say Decker continued resisting commands before finally being taken into custody.
Broken Window And Threat
Court records suggest the trouble began sometime after Decker and his girlfriend, Lucy Wadaga, spent part of the evening in downtown Jackson, including a stop at the Cowboy Bar.
Witnesses told police Decker became increasingly agitated and emotional as the night wore on.
After the women left the Cowboy Bar and returned to their car parked near East Broadway, Decker allegedly followed them and began shouting profanities.
Decker threatened to kill his girlfriend and repeatedly referenced having access to a gun, wrote Fowler.
The confrontation escalated when Decker reportedly punched the passenger-side window out, shattering the glass and scattering debris onto the street.
Witnesses described his demeanor as volatile and unpredictable. One told police Decker could appear calm and apologetic one moment before abruptly becoming angry and destructive the next.
After smashing the window, investigators say Decker crossed East Broadway and punched the glass door of Jackson Hole's Old Time Photos.
The damage to the vehicle and storefront was estimated to exceed $1,000, forming the basis for the two felony property destruction charges.
Gun Recovered After Arrest
Several witnesses reported hearing Decker make references to having a gun.
One woman told investigators she was particularly alarmed because Decker had access to a firearm inside their vehicle.
She said as she positioned herself between Decker and the car, she feared he might retrieve the weapon.
After Decker was arrested, officers searched the car and recovered a Sig Sauer P365 pistol from a black fanny pack.
The handgun contained a loaded magazine but did not have a round chambered, says the affidavit.
Court records show he was released from custody June 8 after posting a $5,000 cash or surety bond.
As conditions of his release, Decker is prohibited from contacting the two women identified as victims in the affidavit.
He is also barred from returning to Jackson Hole's Old Time Photos.
The court did not require Decker to remain in Teton County, allowing him to return to Michigan as the criminal case moves forward.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
