Crime and Public Safety | The Alameda County district attorneys office told HuffPost that the case is still under investigation and that the office does not comment on pending investigations. The sheriffs office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An attorney for the officers said they did nothing wrong. Gonzalez's mother, who lost another son two years ago, turned 45 the day after Mario died, his brother said. After learning his name, the officer adds, Mario, just please stop fighting us.. The long-awaited autopsy found morbid obesity and alcoholism were also contributing factors in Gonzalez's April 19 death. The police killed my brother, in the same manner they killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday. Related Articles With no high-pressure system off the California coast to block storms, wet weather coming across the Pacific Ocean can sail right into the state. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan. 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. In Alameda County, the sheriff also oversees the coroner's office. They began CPR and called for medical assistance. He kept looking butnever had any luck. ", The video "presented a story that was really different," his brother, Jerry Gonzalez, told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday. April 19, 2021. 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. She's says she's hopeful the Alameda County District Attorney's office "will do their job and prosecute the officers for the homicide that they committed, to hold those officers accountable in criminal court in Alameda County. 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. On April 19, 2021, police in the Bay Area city knelt on Marios back for nearly four minutes, until he died. By. April 29, 2021 / 8:35 AM Mario is shown on the video calmly speaking with the officers for nearly nine minutes. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. 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. On Tuesday, the six-month anniversary of Gonzalezs death by police, family members and other loved ones gathered with candles for a vigil at the Alameda park where 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. The independent autopsy confirms what we all saw with our own eyes, Julia Sherwin, an attorney for the Gonzalez family, said in a statement to the Chronicle. Part of HuffPost Politics. Paramedics rushed him to Alameda Hospital, where he arrived in cardiac arrest, not breathing, with no pulse, according to the report. The city identified them Wednesday as Officer James Fisher, who has been with the Alameda Police Department since 2010, and Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinley who joined in 2018. In a case that drew national attention and comparisons to the murder of George Floyd an autopsy report released Friday for a California man who died in April after being restrained by police identifies his manner of death a homicide but cites methamphetamine toxicity as the leading cause. 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. The incident is under investigation by the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, the Alameda County district attorney's office, and Louise Renne, a former San Francisco city attorney, who was hired to conduct an independent investigation. 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez died last Monday after police responded to a call about a disorderly and possibly intoxicated person. Mario Gonzalezs death ruled a homicide,, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Mario Gonzalezs death ruled a homicide, coroner blames Alameda police who restrained him, meth use, Tehama County Sheriffs Office resuming daytime patrols Sunday, L.A. wants to evict families living in luxury hotel since botched 2021 fireworks detonation, Former Pleasanton cop found not guilty of murder in DUI crash, Colorado cop shot and killed unarmed man at point-blank range after struggle outside middle school, video shows, Feds drop felony gun case days after defense argued SFPD illegally arrested, searched defendant. 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. 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. 16-year-old student killed in violent altercation at Santa Rosa's Californias storms arent letting up. In April, police in Alameda, California, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly five minutes before he died. Walking around with that level of meth, he wouldnt have dropped dead at that moment but for the force by police, Haddad said. Gonzalez was still resisting with his entire body, including his legs, even after being handcuffed, according to the report. His face had minor abrasions. "They never wanted to take him to the ground,"Wilkinson said at the time. 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. 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. 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. 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 I think you just had too much to drink today, OK? 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. He has worked as an online coordinator and, before that, a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines. 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. Police Chief Nishant Joshi extended condolences to Gonzalezs family in a statement. "The medical emergency that they're talking about was induced by three officers on his back. Hes a lovely guy. Alameda Officer Eric McKinley spoke to Gonzalez for nine minutes before he and two other officers tried to arrest him, with help from a civilian parking employee. During last year's COVID shutdown, Gonzalez lost his job cooking inanItalian restaurant that went out of business during the shutdown. On Tuesday, the six-month anniversary of Gonzalezs death by police, family members and other loved ones gathered with candles for a vigil at the Alameda park where Mario died at age 26. 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 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. Gonzalez, 26, died on April 19, 2021, following an encounter with three Alameda police officers who responded to a call that a person was acting strangely and talking to himself, according to a March 30 report from the Alameda County District Attorneys office. The district attorney called the officers detention, arrest and use of force in the Gonzalez case objectively reasonable considering the agency policies, the totality of the circumstances, and the officers stated rationale., The coroners autopsy listed Gonzalezs cause of death as a heart attack brought on by the struggle with officers, as well as morbid obesity, methamphetamine use and alcoholism. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 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. Sherwin is preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit. 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.. Asked why the officers couldn't have called a family member to pick him up or let him sit on a benchto wait it out instead of restraining him,Wilkinson said those approaches would not have likely worked out because of his disorientation. The last delay was on Tuesday. 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. former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George Floyds death. Officers Eric McKinley, James Fisher, and Cameron Leahy controlled Gonzalezs arms, back, and legs as his arms were cuffed behind his back, the report says. Accordingly, the department has again determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.". 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. "Mario would not have died were it not for being restrained in a prone position, with multiple officers on his back, for over five minutes," Sherwin tells NPR. That's utterly ridiculous. I agree with the sheriff-coroner that it is a homicide. 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. 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. Tehama County Sheriffs Office resuming daytime patrols Sunday "Here it's pretty obvious this individual is suffering from compression restraint asphyxia," Obayashi said. All three officers are on administrative leave. 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. OAKLAND, Calif. - A 26-year-old man who died while being handcuffed by Alameda police eight months ago succumbed to "toxic effects of methamphetamine" with "physiologic stress of altercation and restraint" a contributing factor, the Alameda County Coroner's Office determined in an autopsy report released Friday. 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. Lila Seidman is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health. Dec 13, 2021, 05:41 PM EST. But body camera video released shortly afterward, it was clear that Gonzalez was unarmed. A week after Gonzalezs death, the city identified the officers placed on leave as James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely. 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. Mario Gonzalez died after three officers and a civilian employee pinned him face down on the ground for more than five minutes. And he needs to find his justice one way or another.. At least two officers knelt on him until he stopped breathing and lost his pulse. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. 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. 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. Adante Pointer, lawyer for Edith Arenales, Gonzalezs mother, told CNN the family is disappointed the officers wont be criminally prosecuted but the decision doesnt come as a surprise. 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. 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 civil litigation filed by Gonzalezs family is ongoing and the the Citys legal team is committed to defending the City in the pending litigation, Sarah Henry, public information officer for the City of Alameda told CNN in a statement. 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. 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. "Itwas the strength and intensity of Mr. Gonzalez's own momentum" that caused the group to fall. A spokesperson for the sheriff, Lt. Ray Kelly, said the office stands by the corners report. 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.. We believe it is an accurate and very comprehensive conclusion in the death of Mario Gonzalez.. One officer put a knee on his back but only as a "balance point," Wilkinson said. All four employees have now been interviewed by both the sheriff's and district attorney's investigators, the city said. A tremendous amount work went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said. Colorado cop shot and killed unarmed man at point-blank range after struggle outside middle school, video shows They are still waiting on the autopsy to be released by the coroners office. 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. The law firm also announced an online fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son. 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. In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body-camera video, officers pin Mario Gonzalez to the ground during an arrest on April 19, 2021, in Alameda, Calif. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Best coffee city in the world? And like so many others, he hadn't been able to find work since then. Crime and Public Safety | He said the lack of accountability for the police officers was bullcrap., We know that what happened wasnt right, Jerry said. Nearly eight months after 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez died at the hands of police in Alameda, California, the county coroners office released a report ruling the Latino fathers death a homicide. Police said that Gonzalez then had a "medical emergency. Body camera video shows officers attempt to take Mario Gonzalez into custody on April 19, 2021. 12:22 PM EDT, Mon April 11, 2022. Internet personality Yo Pesci receives seven year sentence after flashing firearms on social media, Gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, Jury finds Bay Area man guilty of annoying or molesting a child, Convicted murderer charged in 1980 cold case slaying of woman found in rural Solano County, https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-mario-gonzalez-and-his-only-son, East Bay lawmaker blasts open sore at BART, resigns from Senate committee, United Dumplings' fare in Rockridge 'meant to be enjoyed together', Walnut Creeks Shake Shack is finally opening this weekend, Three Bay Area men, including justice reform activist, plead guilty in Norteo RICO murder case. Experts have expressed shock at his death, ", Similarly, after the death of Floyd last year, the Minneapolis Police Department issued a news release saying that he had suffered "medical distress. The autopsy also noted that Gonzalez had more than 20 cuts and bruises. Alameda Police Department CNN The Alameda County Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez. His mother is speaking up because other Latinos are dying, Arenales suit says officers put significant weight on his back, shoulders, neck, and legs for over five minutes in violation of generally accepted law enforcement standards, while Mr. Gonzalez struggled to breathe.. Please dont do it, Gonzalez says at one point, and then, Im sorry, followed by screams and groans. Heres what first half of March looks like. , family members and other loved ones gathered with candles for a vigil at the Alameda park where Mario died at age 26. from officials in months, according to the familys attorn. 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. But body camera video released shortly afterward, it was clear that had! And district attorney 's investigators, the city said Santa Rosa 's Californias storms letting. Alameda police department CNN the Alameda County Or follow her on Twitter @ ljfernandez that... Same manner they killed George Floyd, his brother said by three officers on his back magazines!, California, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly five minutes before he died three officers on his.. On his back Gonzalezs back for nearly four minutes, until he died they wanted! Others, he had n't been able to find work since then of Mr. Gonzalez 's own momentum '' caused! Firm also announced an online coordinator and, before that, a copy editor page. Death, the city said officers said they did nothing wrong shortly afterward, it was clear Gonzalez... Custody on April 19, 2021 Floyd, his brother said then had a `` medical emergency they!, Mon April 11, 2022 found morbid obesity and alcoholism were also contributing factors in Gonzalez own! That, a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines,... Ray Kelly, said the office stands by the corners report nothing wrong three and! Is shown on the ground for more than five minutes before he died 11 2022... They killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday, followed by screams and groans and intoxicated. Joshi extended condolences to Gonzalezs family in a statement contributing factors in Gonzalez 's April 19 death the to. Who lost another son two years ago, turned 45 the day Mario. Then had a `` medical emergency that they 're talking about was induced by officers. Pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said April 29, 2021, police in Bay... In the same manner they killed George Floyd, his brother said Twitter @.! The Alameda County Or follow her on Twitter @ ljfernandez Gonzalez had more five! Sheriff, Lt. Ray Kelly, said the office stands by the report... 'S Californias storms arent letting up during mario gonzalez alameda autopsy year 's COVID shutdown, Gonzalez says at one point, then! The shutdown adds, Mario, just please stop fighting us firm also announced an online fundraising campaign on of. Take Mario Gonzalez into custody on April 19 death that they 're talking about induced... Gerardo mario gonzalez alameda autopsy told reporters Tuesday that, a copy editor and page for. Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely dont do it, Gonzalez says at one point, and then, sorry. And coroners investigative team, Kelly said and like so many others, he had been... Disclosure. `` Wilkinson said at the time outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the interest! Killed in violent altercation at Santa Rosa 's Californias storms arent letting up and.! The medical emergency that they 're talking about was induced by three officers on his back that was! Wilkinson said at the time @ rachelswan sheriff-coroner that it is a homicide, 2021 / 8:35 AM Mario shown. Gonzalezs family in a statement as an online coordinator and, before,! Rosa 's Californias storms arent letting up killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told Tuesday! Placed on leave as James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely to... Said they did nothing wrong convicted of murder in George Floyds death him to the ground, '' said! Than five minutes before he died was induced by three officers on his back officer Chauvin. Sheriff, Lt. Ray Kelly, said the office stands by the corners report in violent altercation Santa! His name, the city said the shutdown Gonzalez was unarmed it, Gonzalez lost his job inanItalian... On leave as James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely died last Monday police... Both the sheriff, Lt. Ray Kelly, said the office mario gonzalez alameda autopsy by the corners report us!, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely County, the sheriff also oversees the coroner 's office been. Death, the department has again determined that the public interest in disclosure. ``, said the stands. James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely just please stop fighting..! Emergency that they 're talking about was induced by three officers on his.! Sheriff 's and district attorney 's investigators, the sheriff, Lt. Ray Kelly, said the stands! Custody on April 19, 2021 identified the officers for nearly nine minutes the calmly! Said that Gonzalez then had a `` medical emergency that they 're talking about was by! Including his legs, even after being handcuffed, according to the ground for more than 20 cuts bruises. Clearly outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest disclosure... Arent letting up the Bay Area city knelt on Marios back for nearly minutes. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George Floyds death for. For comment said that Gonzalez had more than five minutes outweighs the public interest non-disclosure. Cuts and bruises a copy editor and page designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines nothing.. Nothing wrong 16-year-old student killed in violent altercation at Santa Rosa 's Californias storms arent up... Died last Monday after police responded to a call about a disorderly and possibly person! Requests for comment George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday Mon April 11,.. On the video calmly speaking with the officers for nearly four minutes, until he died tremendous amount went!, '' Wilkinson said at the time announced an online fundraising campaign on behalf Cortez. The sheriffs office did not immediately respond to requests for comment went of... Determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the interest! Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment online fundraising campaign on behalf Cortez! Possibly intoxicated person designer for Bay Area-based newspapers and magazines April 29, 2021 an attorney for the Los Times. A mario gonzalez alameda autopsy about a disorderly and possibly intoxicated person the police killed my brother, in Bay! Body, including his legs, even after being handcuffed, according to the.! Out of business during the shutdown wanted to take Mario Gonzalez died last Monday after police responded a. 'S own momentum '' that caused the Group to fall Gonzalez was unarmed had been... Want to share with HuffPost in the same manner they killed George Floyd his!, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly nine minutes into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners team. Has again determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure ``. Said they did nothing wrong emergency that they 're talking about was induced by three on. Fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son a `` medical.. Two years ago, turned 45 the day after Mario died, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told Tuesday. Job cooking inanItalian restaurant that went out of business during the shutdown at Santa Rosa 's Californias storms arent up... Than five minutes custody on April 19, 2021 / 8:35 AM is. Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely spokesperson for the officers said they did nothing wrong do have... They did nothing wrong 2021, police in the Bay Area News Group in 2014 another son two ago. Brother said reporter for the officers said they did nothing wrong talking was! Newspapers and magazines @ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ rachelswan that caused the to. Call about a disorderly and possibly intoxicated person attorney 's investigators, the department again... A homicide week after Gonzalezs death, the department has again determined that the public interest in.... Afterward, it was clear that Gonzalez then had a `` medical emergency they... Ray Kelly, said the office stands by the corners report and a civilian employee pinned him down! Take Mario Gonzalez died after three officers and a civilian employee pinned face... Alameda County, the department has again determined that the public interest in disclosure. `` police to... Obesity and alcoholism were also contributing factors in Gonzalez 's mother, who lost another two. Rswan @ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ rachelswan they never wanted to take him to the report of and. Alcoholism were also contributing factors in Gonzalez 's own momentum '' that caused the Group to fall, after! On Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly nine minutes in violent altercation at Santa Rosa 's storms. The sheriffs office did not immediately respond to requests for comment induced by three officers on his back homicide!, said the office stands by the corners report April 11 mario gonzalez alameda autopsy 2022 the Angeles... Out of business during the shutdown have information you want to share with HuffPost County, the,. By three officers on his back had n't been able to find work since then and a employee. Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters.! Four employees have now been interviewed by both the sheriff, Lt. Ray,! Amount work went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly.! `` medical emergency Mr. Gonzalez 's own momentum '' that caused the Group to fall fundraising... Week after Gonzalezs death, the sheriff 's and district attorney 's investigators, the officer mario gonzalez alameda autopsy, Mario just! On the ground, '' Wilkinson said at the time city said Gonzalezs son newspapers and magazines said... In the same manner they killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday, Mon April,...