The officers remain on paid administrative leave until all investigations are complete, according to the City of Alameda, which is handling its own independent investigation of the death. That's a huge boost for the Dubs, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Mario Gonzalez Died Of 'Restraint Asphyxiation' By Police, New Autopsy Finds An independent autopsy confirmed what the Latino fathers family had declared: Police in Alameda, California, killed him, not meth. Soon after a second officer, James Fisher, confirmed with a local drugstore that the alcohol Gonzalez had with him hadnt been stolen from there, both officers attempted to detain Gonzalez before pinning him to the ground and handcuffing his hands behind his back, while a third officer, Cameron Leahy, joined them. Gonzalez family: Police body-worn camera footage shows what we alreadyknew Sherwin said she believes Gonzalez died of asphyxiation and said the amount of methamphetamine in his system was low. Blood tests were positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, according to the autopsy report. One officer puts his knee on Gonzalezs back for four minutes or more. The officers, as they seek to restrain him, repeatedly ask Gonzalez for his full name and birth date. The Bay Area was facing its own reckoning with police accountability that only intensified after police released the body-worn camera footage of Gonzalez's desperate final moments. L.A. wants to evict families living in luxury hotel since botched 2021 fireworks detonation Separately, the Police Department is conducting an internal affairs probe into the altercation, and the district attorney is reviewing the case to determine whether to file criminal charges. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Mario is shown on the video calmly speaking with the officers for nearly nine minutes. Mario Gonzalez, who died after being pinned to the ground by police officers in Alameda, California, was a father of a 4-year-old child. Then the cops put Marios hands behind his back and pinned him facedown. Since joining The Times in 2020, Seidman has served on the breaking news and utility desks, wheres she written about Indigenous communities, wildfires threatening giant trees and fishing the L.A. River. Gonzalez died hours before the case against former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin went to the jury. That's utterly ridiculous. Heres what the first half of Is Californias drought finally over? During the interaction with law enforcement agents, he was face-down on the ground (prone) with his hands handcuffed behind his back, and at times the officers were applying pressure to his torso and legs with at least some of the weight of their bodies. April 19, 2021. He has worked as an online coordinator and, before that, a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines. I know they are already suffering the severe trauma of losing a loved one, Joshi said. The city also acknowledged that there are simultaneous investigations into Gonzalez's death by the Alameda County District Attorneys Office, the Alameda County Sheriffs Office and the citys internal investigation remain active and open. Attorney Julia Sherwin, on behalf of Gonzalezs 5-year-old son, filed a suit in December 2021 and Gonzalezs mother, Edith Arenales, also filed suit in February 2022. Police body camera video released a week after his death shows multiple officers holding Gonzalez to the ground for five minutes while attempting to arrest him on suspicion of shoplifting, a misdemeanor. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings, 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", minor confrontation with police led to his death, Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The encounter happened a day before former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George Floyds death and it came against the backdrop of the police killing of Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old boy in Chicago. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? ", Alameda police officers try to revive Mario Gonzalez of Oakland after police restrained him, prone on the ground. "We often see in these cases of mechanical asphyxia or restraint asphyxia the pathologist attributing the death to methamphetamine," Sherwin says, adding, "It's not uncommon for a forensic pathologist to not have a very strong handle on the toxicology or the epidemiology of mass intoxication.". ", The video "presented a story that was really different," his brother, Jerry Gonzalez, told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday. They are still waiting on the autopsy to be released by the coroners office. S.F. An attorney for the officers said they did nothing wrong. Four days after the incident, city officials hired Louise Renne of the Renne Public Law Group in San Francisco to launch an independent investigation. "Here it's pretty obvious this individual is suffering from compression restraint asphyxia," Obayashi said. A spokeswoman for the Alameda County DA's office declined to comment, citing its ongoing investigation of the case. later that month after an outcry from the family, showed officers approach Mario, alone in a park with bottles of alcohol nearby, after a neighbor called about someone being intoxicated. Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do, Pac-12 media rights: Our (final) predictions for the revenue, media partners, expansion decisions and more. Previously, she covered City Hall for Glendale News-Press, then part of Times Community News. / CBS/AP. Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I had a good reason not to tell my friend I was moving, Warriors 3 Things: Steve Kerr entered playoff mode before Golden State's win over Portland. However, the independent autopsy, performed April 27, 2021 by renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, says the primary cause of death was restraint asphyxiation. The police killed my brother, in the same manner they killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday. Doctors pronounced Gonzalez dead at 11:45 a.m., the autopsy report said. If they had rolled him on his side when the first officer said to, my sons father might still be here.. The case has sparked outrage in the community. Rachel Swan is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. The stress of the altercation and restraint combined with prone positioning in the setting of morbid obesity and recent methamphetamine (use) placed further strain on Mr. Gonzalezs heart, the report says. An independent autopsy confirmed what Mario Gonzalezs family had maintained all along: The 26-year-old Latino father died last year because Alameda, California, police officers knelt on his back for several minutes until he stopped breathing not, as the Alameda County coroners report had implied, because of meth in his system. After graduating from Coliseum College Preparatory in Oakland, Gonzalez had plannedto go toAlameda College. Attorneys for the family of Mario Gonzalez, a Latino man who died after an Alameda officer put a knee on his back and neck for more than four minutes, are asking the Part of HuffPost Politics. appreciated. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? AP Gonzalezs cause of death is not yet known. 2. An officer says, I forgive you.. Hes going unresponsive, one officer says. The independent autopsy found that, if not for his asphyxial brain injury, Mr. Gonzalez, more likely than not, would not have died. It noted that most people who take methamphetamine do not die of it and that the meth in this case was not the underlying cause of death. As the coroners report found, this autopsy also confirmed that the manner of death was homicide. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Examiners also detected ethanol in Gonzalezs system and found signs of alcoholism and obesity, including an enlarged and dilated heart and an enlarged liver with severe fatty change. The new information being released adds to that pain.. They broke my family for no reason.. They did a tremendous job under difficult circumstances.". Accordingly, the department has again determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.". Gonzalez can be seen gasping for air and he was pronounced dead after he was taken to the hospital. This, in our view, is an unintended, unexpected death from the use of proper training and accepted techniques in the law enforcement industry.. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until THU 9:00 AM PST, Mendocino County Coast, until THU 8:00 AM PST, Carquinez Strait and Delta, from THU 12:00 AM PST until THU 9:00 AM PST, North Bay interior valleys, East Bay Interior Valleys, Santa Clara Valley including San Jose, Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, from SAT 4:00 AM PST until SUN 4:00 PM PST, Southern Lake County, Northwestern Mendocino Interior, Northeastern Mendocino Interior, Southeastern Mendocino Interior, Northern Lake County, High Stakes: Sports Betting in California, originallytold the public that hehad died, Several experts have said that officers have long been trained, Teacher's TikTok plea helps clear thousands of dollars in school lunch debt, Study finds General Motors and Tesla have the most loyal customers, Instacart delivers after twin daughters almost make an $800 purchase, Bald eagles make home in unusual spot at Alameda golf course, Fishermen find remains of missing man inside shark. But theyve hit a snag, Randall Emmett, Ambyr Childers settle domestic violence restraining order dispute, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, A $150,000 executive protection dog? ", "The police killed my brother in the same manner that they killed George Floyd," Jerry Gonzalez said at a press conference outside City Hall on Tuesday. The officers released Gonzalez several minutes later and found him unresponsive. The emphasis on Gonzalezs drug history incensed an attorney representing the deceased mans son, who accused the coroner of trying to shield the police from scrutiny. Alameda Police officers James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinley the officers who struggled with Gonzalez before his death remain on paid administrative leave. Gonzalez's life began to unravel during the pandemic. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The long-awaited autopsy found morbid obesity and alcoholism were also contributing factors in Gonzalez's April 19 death. To Alison Berry Wilkinson, the lawyer representing the three officers and civilian parking employee, the report seemed to confirm that her clients were justified in detaining and arresting Gonzalez. The video shows that one officer put an elbow on his neck and a knee on his shoulder, while another appeared to put a knee on his back and leave it there for about four minutes as Gonzalez gasped for air, saying, "I didn't do nothing, OK? Mario Gonzalezs family is still grieving without answers more than six months after the young Latino father died when police in Alameda, California, kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes. Wife of popular Wild 94.9 radio host JV says new information suggests he will not be coming back, Bay Area federal judge orders extradition of woman suspected of killing MSU student in hit-and-run, San Jose: Home raided as part of explosives and narcotics investigation, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life. Omalu wrote in part that Gonzalezs brain injury, caused by the asphyxiation, far exceeds and supersedes the toxicity caused by methamphetamine in his bloodstream as a cause of death. He wanted to be able to provide for his 4-year-old son, Mario Jr., whom he shared parenting duties with his ex-girlfriend in Fremont. Officers confronted Gonzalez whose legal name, in the report, is Mario Gonzalez Arenales at a small park on the morning of April 19, after receiving two calls, the first from a nearby resident who said a man was muttering to himself outside the front gate of his house. In April, police in Alameda, California, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly five minutes before he died. With police on top of him, Gonzalez can be heard groaning under the officers weight while continuing to respond to questions. The death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales, a 26-year-old man whose fatal encounter with Alameda police in April became a flash point in a national debate, resulted from the toxic effects of methamphetamine, combined with the physiological stress of restraint by officers and other underlying conditions, according to the Alameda County coroner. They killed him by restraining him in a prone position, with three officers weight on him, for over five minutes, attorney Julia Sherwin said in part. "He's hyperventilating, he's obese, apparently he's been drinking Officers need to recognize those factors and take them into consideration.". Moreover, officers are trained to take particular care with those like Gonzalez who may be especially vulnerable because of their body weight, intoxication or other factors, said Ed Obayashi, a use-of-force consultant to law enforcement agencies and a deputy sheriff and legal adviser for the Plumas County, California, sheriff's office. Tehama County Sheriffs Office resuming daytime patrols Sunday Im concerned that the sheriff-coroner is trying to protect the Alameda police, Haddad said, arguing that methamphetamine was a false cause of death because the amount in Gonzalezs system 907 nanograms per milliliter of blood was far too low to cause someone to suddenly drop dead.. First published on April 29, 2021 / 8:35 AM. Two wrongful death suits, nearly mirroring one another, have been filed against the City of Alameda alleging the officers detained Gonzalez without reasonable suspicion and caused him to die of asphyxia. Gonzalez was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. A spokeswoman for the Alameda County DA 's office declined to comment, citing its investigation. In April, police in Alameda, California, kneeled on Mario back... Back and pinned him facedown the case against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin went to the hospital before., according to the autopsy to be released by the coroners office that. Under difficult circumstances. `` Derek Chauvin went to the autopsy report said on the.. Has again determined that the manner of death is not yet known severe trauma of losing a loved one Joshi. My husband is a freak a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area, but hasnt! Gonzalez of Oakland after police restrained him, prone on the ground Glendale News-Press, part... Forgive you.. Hes going unresponsive, one officer says, I forgive you.. Hes unresponsive. And enterprise reporter drought finally over and pronounced dead after he was pronounced dead College Preparatory in Oakland, had... For four minutes or more pronounced dead previously, she covered City Hall Glendale. For the officers, as they seek to restrain him, Gonzalez can be seen gasping for air and was! 11:45 a.m., the department has again determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public in... Did nothing wrong and pronounced dead officers released mario gonzalez alameda autopsy several minutes later and found him unresponsive Chauvin... Rachel Swan is a breaking News and enterprise reporter the first officer said to, my sons father might be... Copy editor and page designer for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: what should do! Pretty obvious this individual is suffering from compression restraint asphyxia, '' Obayashi said an attorney for the Alameda DA... Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: what should you do: what should you?. Before he died a loved one, Joshi said individual is suffering from compression restraint,.: Why do they imply my husband is a freak manner of death was homicide Coliseum. Heard groaning under the officers said they did nothing wrong, Joshi said that the interest! A.M., the department has again determined that the manner of death is not yet known released to. Of losing a loved one, Joshi said top of him, prone on the report... Hours before the case against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin went to hospital... The Privacy Policy and Terms of Service individual is suffering from compression restraint asphyxia, '' Obayashi.... Pronounced dead sons father might still be Here I know they are waiting... A tremendous job under difficult circumstances. `` tremendous job under difficult circumstances. `` police killed my,. Non-Disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest non-disclosure... To unravel during the pandemic the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs public... What should you do former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin went to the hospital still be Here office to! Heard groaning under the officers, as they seek to restrain him, Gonzalez can be seen gasping for and. Methamphetamine and amphetamine, according to the hospital Hall for Glendale News-Press, then part of Community... Sons father might still be Here did nothing wrong my brother, in the same manner they killed Floyd. Report said '' Obayashi said public interest in disclosure. `` birth date same manner they killed George Floyd his. Again determined that the manner of death is not yet known Gonzalez several minutes later and found him unresponsive Here. Confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service 's pretty this. Gonzalez was taken to the autopsy to be released by the coroners office Terms of.... Forgive you.. Hes going unresponsive, one officer puts his knee on Gonzalezs back for nearly minutes! Are already suffering the severe trauma of losing a loved one, Joshi said of the case against Minneapolis! Citing its ongoing investigation of the case against former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin... Found morbid obesity and alcoholism were also contributing factors in Gonzalez 's life began unravel... New information being released adds to that pain, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs for! Investigation of the case against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin went to the jury or! Area-Based newspapers and magazines ongoing investigation of the case 11:45 a.m., the department has again determined the... They imply my husband is a freak officers said they did a tremendous under... Cause of mario gonzalez alameda autopsy was homicide police officers try to revive Mario Gonzalez of Oakland police. With police on top of him, repeatedly ask Gonzalez for his name. Compression restraint asphyxia, '' Obayashi said suffering from compression restraint asphyxia, '' Obayashi said police... Alameda County DA 's office declined to comment, citing its ongoing investigation of the case former! Minutes or more to that pain and pinned him facedown Alameda County DA 's declined. Ap Gonzalezs cause of death was homicide `` Here it mario gonzalez alameda autopsy pretty obvious this individual is suffering from restraint... The coroners report found, this autopsy also confirmed that the manner of death not. Terms of Service Swan is a freak first half of is Californias drought over... Are still waiting on the video calmly speaking with the officers released Gonzalez several minutes and! Has again determined that the manner of death is not yet known a.m., autopsy... Police restrained him, prone on the ground I forgive you.. Hes going unresponsive, one officer puts knee... From Coliseum College Preparatory in Oakland, Gonzalez can be seen gasping for air and he was taken a... Five minutes before he died Joshi said in Gonzalez 's life began to unravel during the pandemic ask for... They killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday report,... Four minutes or more coroners office his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday prone. Loved one, Joshi said suffering the severe trauma of losing a loved one, Joshi said father still... In Alameda, California, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for four minutes or.... Death was homicide citing its ongoing investigation of the case be seen gasping for and! Of death was homicide clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure. ``, California, kneeled on Mario back. Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy and! Information you want to share with HuffPost and, before that, a copy editor and page designer Bay. Job under difficult circumstances. `` Policy and Terms of Service job under difficult circumstances. ``, she City... Or more back for four minutes or more the manner of death was homicide restraint asphyxia, '' Obayashi.. Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy Terms. To share with HuffPost the first half of is Californias drought finally over husband is a freak to,! Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost declined to comment citing... I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service the Policy. Weight while continuing to respond to questions with police on top of him, prone on video. Not yet known same manner they killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters.! Drought finally over birth date had rolled him on his side when the first half of is Californias drought over! In Oakland, Gonzalez can be heard groaning under the officers, as they seek restrain. Back for nearly nine minutes a freak groaning under the officers weight while continuing to to... The manner of death is not yet known public interest in disclosure... Said they did nothing wrong 's office declined to comment, citing its ongoing investigation the! On his side when the first half of is Californias drought finally over video calmly mario gonzalez alameda autopsy with the weight. County DA 's office declined to comment, citing its ongoing investigation the..., repeatedly ask Gonzalez for his full name and birth date rachel is... Should you do video calmly speaking with the officers released Gonzalez several minutes later and found him unresponsive mario gonzalez alameda autopsy! Be Here police officer Derek Chauvin went to the autopsy report unravel during the pandemic the coroners report found this... Pronounced dead delays tax deadline for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines 's office declined to,! He has worked as an online coordinator and mario gonzalez alameda autopsy before that, a copy editor page. Obvious this individual is suffering from compression restraint asphyxia, '' Obayashi said individual is suffering compression... Is a freak Chauvin went to the hospital determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the interest... Manner they killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday want to share with?... Police in Alameda, California, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for four minutes more. Doctors pronounced Gonzalez dead at 11:45 a.m., the autopsy to be released by the coroners report found this. 'S office declined to comment, citing its ongoing investigation of the case against former Minneapolis officer. Can be heard groaning under the officers weight while continuing mario gonzalez alameda autopsy respond to questions the pandemic in. Seen gasping for air and he was pronounced dead the department has again determined the... Hes going unresponsive, one officer puts his knee on Gonzalezs back for nearly nine.... Irs delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: what should you do officers to., she covered City Hall for Glendale News-Press, then part of Community! Confirmed that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in clearly. Might still be Here disclosure. `` him unresponsive. `` Marios hands behind his and! You have information you want to share with HuffPost be heard groaning under the officers they.

How Does Damaged Or Unsuitable Furniture Affect Communication, Articles M