Police fired a Taser on a man at a homeless hostel in south Wales in the early hours of Thursday morning after reports the man was attacking a woman.
Gwent police responded to reports of an attack at the Sirhowy Arms homeless hostel in Argoed, Blackwood at 1.23am this morning.
Police fired a 50,000-volt Taser at the 34-year-old man in a bid to restrain him.
Officers said the 22-year-old woman from Blackwood was found with injuries, and was later pronounced dead. The man was Tasered and arrested, and was also later pronounced dead.
“Whilst under arrest, the man became unresponsive. Officers and paramedics administered first aid but he has since been pronounced deceased,” said Gwent police in statement.
According to Home Office figures, police fired Tasers 817 times between January and June 2014. Gwent police fired Tasers a total of 8 times in this period.
Nationally, Taser use has increased from 3,128 uses in 2009 to 10,380 uses in 2013. Tasers were not fired on all occasions.
Argoed county and community councillor Leon Gardiner said the village was still in a state of shock.
“This has hit the community for six,” he said.
“I have lived here and represented Argoed for over 30 years and this is the worst tragedy that has happened for us as a village.”
While the identities of the dead pair have not been released, it is believed they were known to each other.
The incident has been referred to the independent police complaints commission.