When the man was taken to a hospital, however, they discovered serious internal head injuries, Hoyal said.

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About 29% of the victims reported bruises, black eyes, sprains, cuts and scratches, but 23% reported more serious injuries, including stab wounds, internal injuries, and broken bones.

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"In the circumstances the male who was struck by the baton was removed to hospital, was able to walk to the ambulance, and has some bruising and some internal bleeding to his abdomen but doesn't, as I understand it, have any serious injuries and that is far preferable to shooting him, " he said.

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