Man dies following police interaction; family seeking answers
A Toronto family is seeking answers after a 43-year-old father died following an interaction with police earlier this month.
CTV Toronto – Published Sunday, November 22, 2015 8:21PM EST
Rodrigo Hector Almonacid Gonzalez died in hospital after police were called to his west-end apartment building shortly after midnight on Nov. 6. Surveillance video taken from inside the building shows officers arriving at 10 Dora Ave., located in the area of Bloor Street West and Lansdowne Avenue, after Gonzalez’s wife called 911 regarding a domestic situation.
According to Gonzalez’s family, the father of two was agitated at the time and had locked himself in the bathroom but was not a threat to anyone.
“I don’t know really know what the case is to be honest as to why he was acting the way he did that night,” Gonzalez’s son, Alex Almonacid, told CTV Toronto on Sunday. “But I just know that my mom has never really been in danger with him at all.”
Police cannot comment on the incident as it is being investigated by Ontario’s Special Investigation Unit. The family’s allegations have not been proven.
According to a statement released by the province’s police watchdog last week, tactical officers were called to assist police.
“During the interaction with the man, two conducted energy weapons were deployed,” the SIU said.
Gonzalez was taken to hospital, where he died on Nov. 7.
Gonzalez’s family took photos of his injuries at the hospital. According to the family, the photos suggest he was severely beaten during his arrest.
“He was alone there so how (come) police couldn’t handle one guy?” said Gonzalez’s sister, Yasiam Almonacid.
Gonzalez’s family’s lawyer is seeking medical records from the hospital to determine the exact cause of death.
“The police had told the family that he had locked himself in the bathroom,” said Davin Charney. “There’s no mention at this point of any use of a weapon and it’s hard to imagine how a person inside a bathroom, locked behind a door is a danger to any person other than themselves.”
With a report from CTV Toronto’s John Musselman.