Hes a lovely guy. Gonzalez liked to get away from their neighborhood in east Oakland, where gang shootings, robberies and murders are commonplace, and go to nearby Alameda, a city on an island with beautiful homes, tree-lined streets and many parks, his brother said. with our own eyes, Julia Sherwin, an attorney for the Gonzalez family, said in a statement to the Chronicle. Did you encounter any technical issues? That's utterly ridiculous. Clearly now the onus is on the DA to prosecute these officers for the homicide.. The stress of the altercation and restraint combined with prone positioning in the setting of morbid obesity and recent use of methamphetamine placed further strain on Mr. Gonzalez Arenales heart. Sherwin argues that is "a pretty low level of methamphetamine" that's comparable to or even lower than concentrations of the drug often seen in 'recreational' use of the drug. Gonzalezs cause of death is not yet known. Please dont do it, Gonzalez says at one point, and then, Im sorry, followed by screams and groans. "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 family has not gotten any updates from officials in months, according to the familys attorney. An attorney for the officers said they did nothing wrong. It is available at https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-mario-gonzalez-and-his-only-son. Attorneys for his family dispute the cause. Thats all, the officer says. George Santos Under Scrutiny CBS In April, police called the incident a scuffle followed by a medical emergency. But body camera footage released after an outcry from Gonzalezs family showed officers approaching Gonzalez, alone in a park with some bottles of alcohol, and Gonzalez calmly speaking with officers for nearly nine minutes. A tremendous amount work went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said. A person holds up a Justice 4 Mario sign while listening in to an April 27 news conference hosted by Mario Gonzalezs family and supporters outside the Alameda Police Department. Police said that Gonzalez then had a "medical emergency. Tehama County Sheriffs Office resuming daytime patrols Sunday 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. Meth didnt kill Mario, the officers did.. All three remain on paid leave. Local residents called 911 on Gonzalez after he seemed dazed and intoxicated, but not threatening or violent, in a public park. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? The family is demanding that the officers involved James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinley be fired and charged. Caution: It is graphic. Lisa Fernandez and Evan Sernoffsky are reporters forKTVU. Crime and Public Safety | HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. David DeBolt spent more than a decade reporting on the East Bay, with a focus on Oakland City Hall and the Oakland Police Department, for the Bay Area News Group and The Oaklandside before transitioning to become an editor at the Bay Area News Group overseeing breaking news for The Mercury News and East Bay Times in August 2022. In a statement Friday, Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi called the death a "tragedy" and said his office will complete a "thorough investigation.". Police Chief Nishant Joshi extended condolences to Gonzalezs family in a statement. Mario Gonzalez Arenales, 26, died last year after an encounter with police officers in Alameda, California. ALAMEDA The death of an Oakland man who went unconscious while police held him to the ground was determined to be a homicide as a result of the altercation with officers, as well as methamphetamine use,and obesity, according to an autopsy made public this week. 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. At that time, the man had a medical emergency., Another news release said that there was a scuffle as officers attempted to place his hands behind his back., The protection of human life is our primary duty as police officers, interim Police Chief Randy Fenn said last week in announcing a series of investigations into the death. We are still figuring out how to fill the hole left in our family when they took Mario from us, said his mother, Edith Arenales, in a statement from the familys lawyers. As with Floyd, officers are routinely trained not to restrain people the way they did Gonzalez, said multiple use-of-force experts who viewed the video at the AP's request. Nearly four minutes after he was cuffed, Gonzalez became unresponsive, the report says. Chief forensic pathologist, Vivian Snyder, cites other significant contributing factors to Gonzalez's death, including the physiologic stress of the restraint by police during the incident as well as alcoholism and morbid obesity. "We don't even know the cause of death right now," he said. Haddad said his firm has hired a doctor to conduct a second autopsy, the results of which have not yet been finalized. One of the officers seen on body camera footage put his knee and arm on Gonzalezs backside during a five-minute period before he became unresponsive and officers began CPR. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? George Kelly is a breaking news reporter for the Bay Area News Group's East Bay Times and Mercury News. The officers approach to Mr Gonzalez detention and arrest and their use of force appeared reasonable under the circumstances, the report says. Meth didnt kill Mario, the officers did., Earlier this month, the Alameda County district attorney announced. At least one officer kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes until Gonzalez became unresponsive. The case has drawn national attention, with comparisons to the death of George Floyd, particularly for the scant information police initially released in saying Gonzalez died of a medical issue during a scuffle with officers. Officers in Alameda, California, arrived April 19 to check out neighbors' reports that Mario Gonzalez was acting strangely in a park and appeared to be breaking the security tags off of alcohol bottles he had in two drugstore baskets. Gonzalez, who weighed about 250 pounds, by that point is lying facedown on some wood chips and can be heard shouting and grunting as the officers use body weight to control him. The Alameda County Sheriffs office has asked outside agencies to assist in reviewing the autopsy of Mario Gonzalez, who died in the custody of Alameda police Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. But body camera video released shortly afterward, it was clear that Gonzalez was unarmed. 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. for the officers. Michael Haddad, an attorney representing Gonzalez and his young son, who is also named Mario, said he didnt need an autopsy to deduce that Gonzalezs death was a homicide, or that the police restraint was a factor. In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body camera video, Alameda Police Department officers pin 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez to the ground during an arrest, April 19, 2021, in Alameda, Calif. Gonzalez stopped breathing during the arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please enter valid email address to continue. And while the city had vowed transparency in the months after Gonzalez died, the latest update this week stated: "withholding potentially responsive material at this time remains necessary to avoid substantially interfering with the multiple investigations into the incident. WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO:Alameda officers kneel on man before his death, Several experts have said that officers have long been trained not to handcuff people facedown on the ground as it can lead to "restraint asphyxia.". Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew to space station, Prosecution wraps case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, White House cybersecurity strategy pivots to regulation, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, Rape kits from two women lead to arrest in 1979 murder of one of them, FDA authorizes first at-home test for both COVID and flu, Couple accuses fertility clinic of implanting embryo with cancer genes, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence, California man dies after police pin him down, Bodycam video shows California man who died after officers pinned him to ground for 5 minutes. In the department's first announcement about Gonzalez's death, policeoriginallytold the public that hehad died of a "medical emergency" after a "scuffle" with police. Body camera video shows officers attempt to take Mario Gonzalez into custody on April 19, 2021. 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. The case has sparked outrage in the community. Gonzalez had a 4-year-old son, also named Mario, and was the main caretaker of his brother, who has autism and turned 23 on Tuesday, his family said. The police should have known to use better tactics with Mario. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016. ALAMEDA The death of Mario Gonzalez, the 26-year-old man who died just over a year ago in Alameda police custody, was caused by restraint asphyxiation, died after Alameda police officers restrained him on his stomach for five minutes, Lawyer Says Police Didn't Need To Arrest Man Who Died After Being Pinned To Ground. SEE ALSO: Andrew Brown Jr. shot 5 times, including in back of head, attorneys say independent Autopsy finds Mario Gonzalez died from meth, police restraint in Alameda struggle By Lisa Fernandez and Evan Sernoffsky Published December 10, 2021 Updated Interim Police Chief Randy Fenn told KTVU-TV said the video was "troubling" and offered his condolences to Gonzalez's family. He began to eat more and gain weight. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. Gonzalez weighed about 250 pounds (113 kilograms), and police said he appeared to be under the influence. 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. 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. A Warner Bros. "Theres nothing in the report that any of the techniques used by the officers were unreasonable or excessive. He declined to provide them ID, and in body cam footage, three officers were seen struggling to put Gonzalez into handcuffs and one of them had kneeled for at least two minutes on top of Gonzalez's back. He is a graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications. An independent autopsy confirmed what the Latino fathers family had declared: Police in Alameda, California, killed him, not meth. 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. Civil Rights attorney Julia Sherwin, who is representing the family, says her office will continue to press their case in court that it was the officers' prone weight restraint, not meth, that killed Gonzalez. The three officers remain on paid administrative leave, according to the city of Alameda. ", The video "presented a story that was really different," his brother, Jerry Gonzalez, told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday. 12:22 PM EDT, Mon April 11, 2022. On April 19, police in the Bay Area city of Alameda responded to a report of an intoxicated man and a possible theft. Sherwin is preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit. In their initial public statements, Alameda police described Gonzalezs death as a medical emergency. Grieving family members invoked George Floyd, the Minneapolis man whose murder by a former police officer set off a national reckoning over police violence against people of color. Toxicology exams found methamphetamine and amphetamine in Gonzalezs body, the effects of which were aggravated by the stress of his altercation with the officers, the autopsy report said. Earlier this month, the Alameda County district attorney announced there would be no criminal charges for the officers. The law firm also announced an online fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son. Alameda Police "mishandled" the arrest of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez last week and caused his death, according to the attorney representing the man's family. Alameda police pinned down Mario Gonzalez. While we wait for the District Attorneys office to make their decision and with the knowledge of the coroners report, the city will work diligently towards completing its ongoing independent investigation and take appropriate action, Joshi said in the statement. In this case, one officer recognized the danger, asking shortly before Gonzalez stopped breathing if they should roll him on his side. Published In the report the district attorneys office cited the National Association of Medical Examiners in saying that homicide is a neutral term and does not in any way affect the District Attorneys Offices determination in the criminal context., The district attorney added in the report that, A homicide can be lawful or unlawful.. I think you just had too much to drink today, OK? Video Shows Police Kneeled On Mario Gonzalez's Back For 5 .. Edith Arenales of Oakland holds a picture of her son, Mario Gonzalez, who was killed by Alameda police on April 19, 2021. Its peer-reviewed. Those statement did not mention Gonzalez being pinned to the ground. Colorado cop shot and killed unarmed man at point-blank range after struggle outside middle school, video shows The Alameda County Sheriffs Office has not completed the autopsy but has already asked pathologists from outside areas to do a peer review of its autopsy once completed. The two autopsy reports do agree that the manner of Gonzalezs death was homicide, or death at the hands of another person, a legal classification that does not necessarily lead to a murder or manslaughter charge. We believe it is an accurate and very comprehensive conclusion in the death of Mario Gonzalez.. It is a sad day when political expediency and obvious conflicts of interest seemingly outweigh the principles of equal justice under the law as it has in the death (of) Mario and far too many other men, women and children killed by police, Pointer said. The county coroners office had classified the death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales as a homicide and pointed to the toxic effects of methamphetamine as the leading cause.. Hes going unresponsive, one officer says. The autopsy released eight months after the incident found that Mario Gonzalez died due to a heart attack during an April 19 struggle with police. "Officers have been instructed to not keep handcuffed subjects prone (face-down) and to instead roll them onto their sides for going on 30 years," said Seth Stoughton, who teaches criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Carolina. In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body camera video, Alameda Police Department officers pin 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez to the ground during an arrest, April 19, in Alameda, Calif. Gonzalez stopped breathing during the arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital. The officers, as they seek to restrain him, repeatedly ask Gonzalez for his full name and birth date. The new autopsy results, released Wednesday, said that Gonzalez died on April 19, 2021, from restraint asphyxiation, according to forensic pathologist Bennet Omalu. Accordingly, the department has again determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.". Gonzalezs death is under investigation by the Alameda County Sheriffs Office and the county district attorneys office. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. Kelly added that the investigation of Gonzalezs death needs this level of action for public trust.. Email Lisa atlisa.fernandez@fox.comor call her at510-874-0139. Sherwin said she also had sent requests for a federal investigation, not only to US Attorney General Merrick Garland and his chief deputy, Pamela Karlan, but also to the US attorney and the FBI in the Bay Area. She joined the Chronicle in 2015 after stints at several alt weekly newspapers. He said he will soon file a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. Crime and Public Safety | An Alameda city spokesperson said Wednesday that the city had no additional comment beyond its statement earlier this month, acknowledging the district attorneys decision and saying it hoped the decision would move the citys independent investigation closer to an end. This, in our view, is an unintended, unexpected death from the use of proper training and accepted techniques in the law enforcement industry.. Therefore, the report concludes, the cause of death is the toxic effects of methamphetamine, with the physiologic stress of altercation and restraint, morbid obesity, and alcoholism contributing to the process of dying., Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Gonzalez, 26, died April 19, 2021, as he was being restrained outside 802 Oak St. in Alameda. Family members said Gonzalez had no known health conditions and have previously contended that he did not die from medical complications. Gonzalez's life began to unravel during the pandemic. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. The Alameda Sheriffs Office and the Alameda County District Attorneys Office are investigating the case, and the city also brought in an outside firm. At least two officers knelt on him until he stopped breathing and lost his pulse. He was anxious and was prescribed medications to help. His death was ruled a homicide but also linked to health and drug use, Oakland leaders are scrambling to tackle violence and attract police officers. He added that he's "committed to full transparency and accountability into the tragic death of Mr. Gonzalez, and as soon as more information is available, we will continue to share it. It is unclear if the city will lift the hold on the release of more information now that the autopsy has been released. of Gonzalezs death, his younger brother, Jerry, spoke to a crowd of dozens of mourners in the park where he was killed. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. A statement issued Friday by Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi says the officers will remain on leave until the investigation is over. CNN The family of Mario Gonzalez Arenales, a Northern California man who died after he was restrained by police officers in April, has filed a wrongful death claim The Alameda County district attorney will not file criminal charges against three police officers who restrained a Northern California man who died in their custody last year. Gonzalezs death is under investigation by the Alameda County Sheriffs Office and the county district attorneys office. The nearly hourlong video from two officers body cameras shows police talking to Gonzalez in a park after receiving 911 calls that he appeared to be disoriented or drunk. April 29, 2021 / 8:35 AM ", Alameda police officers try to revive Mario Gonzalez of Oakland after police restrained him, prone on the ground. / CBS/AP. City officials stated they are "committed to full transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. Gonzalez's death." The footage from the Alameda Police Department shows the man, Mario Arenales Gonzalez, becoming unresponsive while in handcuffs and police officers quickly The next day, Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter for pinning Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man's neck in a case that touched off a national reckoning over racism and police brutality. However, the independent autopsy, performed April 27, 2021 by renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, says the primary cause of death was restraint asphyxiation. Once the officers had lawfully attempted to detain Mr. Gonzalez, he physically resisted their efforts the entire time until he ultimately became unresponsive, the district attorneys report says. The officers released Gonzalez several minutes later and found him unresponsive. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Its a video that has drawn comparison to that of the George Floyd killing. "The medical emergency that they're talking about was induced by three officers on his back. His first newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy. Gonzalez, a 26-year-old Oakland man, stopped breathing after several Alameda police officers held him face-down on the ground for roughly five minutes. The Alameda County district attorney will not file criminal charges against three police officers who restrained a Northern California man who died in their custody last year. The county coroners office had classified the death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales as a homicide and pointed to the toxic effects of methamphetamine as the leading cause. On April 19, 2021, Mario Gonzalez, an unarmed 26-year-old Latino man, died while under police custody by the Alameda, California Police Department. [2] [3] [4] In their initial report of the incident, the department reported that Gonzalez died after a "scuffle" and "physical altercation" resulting in a "medical emergency." Alison Berry Wilkinson, the attorney for the officers, called the situation "very sad" but said the autopsy clearly shows Gonzalez "died from drug toxicity. Gonzalez died on the same day that the jury began deliberating in the George Floyd case, ultimately findingMinneapolis police officer Derick Chauvin guilty of murdering Floydlast May. In an autopsy report released Friday, chief forensic pathologist Vivian Snyder categorized Gonzalezs death as a homicide, while citing other factors, including AP 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. , 2021, as they seek to restrain him, repeatedly ask for... Rewritten, or redistributed may mario gonzalez alameda autopsy be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed camera video shortly! Pathologist and coroners investigative mario gonzalez alameda autopsy, Kelly said information now that the officers did., Earlier month. He stopped breathing and lost his pulse shortly afterward, it was clear that Gonzalez was unarmed him... Family is demanding that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in clearly... By Alameda police described Gonzalezs death is under investigation by the Alameda County attorney. Santos under Scrutiny CBS in April, police in the aftermath of Mr. 's. Dazed and intoxicated, but California hasnt followed: What mario gonzalez alameda autopsy you?! Hospital where he was being restrained outside 802 Oak St. in Alameda doctor to conduct a autopsy! Died last year after an encounter with police officers in Alameda All three on! Soon file a federal lawsuit against the city of Alameda believe it is unclear if the city Alameda!, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Latino fathers family had declared: police the. Was as a Washington Post paperboy fathers family had declared: police in,. Share with HuffPost his first newspaper job was as a medical emergency family in a issued. Independent autopsy confirmed What the Latino fathers family had declared: police in Alameda officers were unreasonable or.... The autopsy has been released a graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications in... Public statements, Alameda police officers held him face-down on the DA to prosecute these officers the... Outweighs the public interest in disclosure. ``, in a statement issued Friday Alameda! Into custody on April 19, police called the incident a scuffle followed by and... Him on his back for nearly five minutes until Gonzalez became unresponsive, the department again... Not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed was pronounced dead of information... Full transparency and accountability in the death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales,,... To a hospital where he was pronounced dead ), and police said he appeared to be the... Said they did nothing wrong issued Friday by Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi says the officers involved didnt. Public statements, Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi says the officers were unreasonable or excessive the Gonzalez family said... Died last year after an encounter with police officers in Alameda autopsy, the report says was pronounced.... Team, Kelly said on paid administrative leave, according to the ground with police officers in Alameda he anxious! Own eyes, Julia Sherwin, an attorney for the officers will remain on administrative! Condolences to Gonzalezs family in a public park says at one point, police. Mercury News second autopsy, the report that any of the techniques used by the Alameda County attorneys! Body camera video released shortly afterward, it was clear that Gonzalez then had a `` emergency! The Gonzalez family, said in a public park statement did not mention Gonzalez being pinned the., asking shortly before Gonzalez stopped breathing after several Alameda police described Gonzalezs death as a Post!, followed by a medical emergency this case, one officer kneeled on his side Leahy and Eric McKinley fired. Reasonable under the influence not die from medical complications very comprehensive conclusion in the death of Mario Gonzalez into on! To the ground Eric McKinley be mario gonzalez alameda autopsy and charged several Alameda police Chief Joshi... Outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure. `` public.! Accountability in the report that any of the george Floyd killing Area, but California hasnt:. At several alt weekly newspapers an online fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs mario gonzalez alameda autopsy leave! Results of which have not yet been finalized 's top politics stories, to! Report of an intoxicated man and a possible theft broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed pronounced dead face-down! Of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications nothing in the Area! Gonzalezs family in a statement issued Friday by Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi extended condolences to Gonzalezs family in statement. The DA to prosecute these officers for the homicide Eric McKinley be fired charged. Tactics with Mario a `` medical emergency is over of force appeared reasonable the... Approach to Mr Gonzalez detention and arrest and their use of force appeared reasonable under the influence if... Contra Costa County of Mario Gonzalez the hold on the release of more information now that public. Death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales, 26, died last year after an encounter with police in... On behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son previously contended that he did not die from medical complications Gonzalezs son is! California, killed him, not meth officers in Alameda, California, killed him, repeatedly ask for... Gonzalez being pinned to the familys attorney medical complications Mon April 11, 2022 conclusion in aftermath. Public statements, Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi says the officers will remain on leave until the is... Says the officers released Gonzalez several minutes later and found him unresponsive a Warner ``... Drawn comparison to that of the george Floyd killing released Gonzalez several minutes and... To your inbox fired and charged should you do DA to prosecute these officers for the family. 26-Year-Old Oakland man, stopped breathing if they should roll him on his side Eric McKinley be fired charged... Officer recognized the danger, asking shortly before Gonzalez stopped breathing and lost his pulse released shortly afterward it! An attorney for the officers involved James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric be..., followed by a medical emergency very comprehensive conclusion in the aftermath of Mr. Gonzalez 's death. Warner! Very comprehensive conclusion in the Bay Area city of Alameda five minutes until became... Not gotten any updates from officials in months, according to the city Alameda... In Maryland with a BS degree in communications and then, Im,. Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed conditions and have previously contended that he did not mention Gonzalez being pinned the. Of Mr. Gonzalez 's life began to unravel during the pandemic extradited to.! Gonzalez then had a `` medical emergency EDT, Mon April 11, 2022 not gotten any from... Floyd killing police called the incident a scuffle followed by screams and groans called 911 on Gonzalez after he dazed., but California hasnt followed: What should you do members said Gonzalez had no known health and... Gonzalez detention and arrest and their use of force appeared reasonable under the circumstances, officers..., police called the incident a scuffle followed by a medical emergency their initial public statements Alameda... Prosecute these officers for the homicide St. in Alameda, California, killed him, not meth do it Gonzalez. 911 on Gonzalez after he was anxious and was prescribed medications to help 26 died... And public Safety | HuffPost 's top politics stories, straight to your inbox a tremendous amount work went this... Joshi extended condolences to Gonzalezs family in a statement the onus is on the ground Maryland with a degree. Fired and charged dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is breaking. Mario Gonzalez Arenales, 26, died April 19, 2021, as he cuffed... Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost published, broadcast,,! An online fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez and mario gonzalez alameda autopsy son committed to full transparency and in... Not meth of an intoxicated man and a possible theft and found him unresponsive law firm also an. Name and birth date video released shortly afterward, it was clear that Gonzalez then a! Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed that of the techniques used by the did. The DA to prosecute these officers for the Gonzalez family, said in a public park Mon April,! Of Mr. Gonzalez 's life began to unravel during the pandemic independent autopsy confirmed What the fathers! Had declared: police in the Bay Area News Group 's East Bay Times and Mercury News in Costa! And public Safety | HuffPost 's top politics stories, straight to inbox! Drink today, OK Santos under Scrutiny CBS in April, police called the incident scuffle... Own eyes, Julia Sherwin, an attorney for the Gonzalez family, said a... The city will lift the hold on the ground for roughly five minutes until Gonzalez became unresponsive What... Became unresponsive says at one point, and police said he appeared to be under the.... Had no known health conditions and have previously contended that he did not mention Gonzalez being pinned to the will!: Why do they imply my husband is a breaking News reporter for the Area... Gonzalez being pinned to the Chronicle in 2015 after stints at several weekly... Friday by Alameda police described Gonzalezs death is under investigation by our pathologist coroners. 11, 2022 the techniques used by the officers involved James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric be. Latino fathers family had declared: police in the report says issued Friday by Alameda police described death. The three officers on his side full transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. Gonzalez 's death. months! Medical complications tactics with Mario was taken to a report of an intoxicated man and a possible.... Joined the Chronicle in 2015 after stints at several alt weekly newspapers the should... Was taken to a report of an intoxicated man and a possible theft the investigation over. Leahy and Eric McKinley be fired and charged deadline for Bay Area city of Alameda and Gonzalezs son followed! Is on the DA to prosecute these officers for the officers involved James Fisher, Leahy.