SAN FRANCISCO — Relations of a Navy veteran who died in 2020 after a police officer pressed a knee to his neck for practically 5 minutes whereas he was in a psychological well being disaster have settled a federal lawsuit in opposition to the Northern California metropolis of Antioch for $7.5 million, their attorneys mentioned Wednesday.
After Angelo Quinto’s loss of life, his household additionally pushed for reforms that led to metropolis and state modifications in how legislation enforcement companies reply to people who find themselves in a psychological well being disaster.
John Burris, one of many attorneys, mentioned in an announcement that whereas no sum of money can compensate for Quinto’s loss of life, “his household is to be recommended for his or her unwavering dedication to bettering the connection between the neighborhood and Antioch police.”
The lawsuit alleged that Antioch cops used extreme drive when restraining Quinto. It named as defendants town of Antioch, then-police Chief Tammany Brooks and 4 officers who responded to a 911 name from Quinto’s household.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe mentioned Quinto’s loss of life was a catalyst for change within the metropolis of 115,000 individuals 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of San Francisco.
“How we take a look at public security is completely different than what did actually three or 4 years in the past once we all thought public security meant cops, cops, cops,” he mentioned. “Not all the pieces requires a police response.”
The household referred to as police on Dec. 23, 2020, as a result of the 30-year-old was in psychological misery and wanted assist. One officer pressed a knee on his neck for practically 5 minutes whereas one other restrained his legs, based on the criticism.
After about 5 minutes of the susceptible restraint, Quinto appeared to turn out to be completely unresponsive, the lawsuit mentioned. He misplaced consciousness and was taken by ambulance to a hospital, the place he died three days later.
Quinto’s loss of life got here months after the killing of George Floyd by the hands of Minneapolis police and amid a nationwide outcry over police brutality.
Within the aftermath, Antioch cops have been geared up with physique cameras and metropolis officers created a psychological well being disaster staff and a police evaluate fee.
Quinto’s mom, Cassandra Quinto-Collins, thanked town of Antioch for the coverage modifications and mentioned her household’s battle will not be but over.
“I thanks for what has been a brave starting to result in transparency and accountability to the Antioch Police Division in order that it could serve our various neighborhood with respect and mutual belief,” Quinto-Collins mentioned.
Quinto, who was born within the Philippines, served within the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 2019 on account of a meals allergy, based on his household.
He had melancholy most of his life, however his conduct modified after an obvious assault in early 2020, when he awoke in a hospital not remembering what had occurred and with stitches and severe accidents. After that he started having episodes of paranoia and anxiousness, his household mentioned.
© Copyright 2024 Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials might not be revealed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
