‘All I did was try to help him’: Taylor Hickey says of former partner Mark Smith who was Tasered

A dad who died after being repeatedly Tasered by police “wasn’t a harm to anyone but himself”, his grieving ex partner says.

Taylor Hickey outside the house where her ex-partner Mark Smith died after being tasered. Picture: Jason Edwards

The former partner of a man who died after police Tasered him at his home last week says she had called triple-0 because she had fears for his mental health.

Speaking exclusively to the Herald Sun, Taylor Hickey, 24, said she never imagined her ex partner Mark Smith would be killed after officers repeatedly Tasered him inside his Frankston North home last Thursday.

Police say officers attended the 46-year-old’s home as part of an “active investigation” and he was armed with knives and in an agitated state.

“I feel responsible that his kids aren’t going to grow up with their dad,” Ms Hickey said.

Police attended Mark Smith’s Frankston North home last Thursday. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Smith died after police officers repeatedly tasered him. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I’m not sleeping. I’m not eating like I’m taking care of my kids.

“I’m responsible for this, and all I did was try to help him.”

Speaking through tears, Ms Hickey said she watched the fatal ordeal unfold over several hours.

But she said it felt like “a matter of seconds” between officers attempting to speak with Mr Smith, who had barricaded himself inside the house, and police gaining access inside.

“I reported to the officers who came to my door that he was suffering bad mental health,” she said.

“He wasn’t a harm to anyone but himself.

“They told me they’d go and speak to him and see what was going on,” she said.

“You couldn’t really hear Mark, but you could hear them.

“They began to patronise and antagonise him, calling him horrible things like a “coward”.

“I thought they were going to help him, not do that.”

Ms Hickey said she heard the sound of seven shocks being administered from the tasers.

“That was the amount of force they used, and you couldn’t even hear him at all,” she said.

“Why kill him? He didn’t deserve that.

“The place should have consequences … there needs to be something done.”

The pair have known one another since Ms Hickey was young, and they began a romantic relationship when she moved next door on Hickory Cres.

They recently separated, but Ms Hickey said Mr Smith was “a genuinely good bloke”.

“He has the best heart,” she said.

“He would always help me and was always there if I needed something.

“If you needed sugar, you’d go and knock on his door. That’s just the type of person he was.”

Victoria Police said last week Mr Smith allegedly barricaded himself inside his house about 4.40pm.

Police allege Mr Smith was armed with knives in an agitated state when officers tried to enter the property shortly before 8pm and that attempts to negotiate with him were unsuccessful.

“The man was confrontational and as a result, he was tasered multiple times to no avail and subsequently flexible baton rounds were used,” a spokesperson said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner and Professional Standards will oversee the investigation in line with regular protocol.