WARNING: This story contains video and audio captured during a police intervention with a person in crisis.
The family of Abisay Cruz, a 29 -year -old man from Montreal who died after a police intervention became violent, is talking and demanding the investigation of a public coroner.
“I was in crisis and needed help,” said Josué Cruz, the victim’s brother.
“Instead of receiving support and protection, he was violently attacked, handcuffed and abused by four police officers. His death is completely unjustifiable and unacceptable.”
Quebec police guardian dog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendses (BEI), said Montreal Police responded to a 911 call on March 30 about a person in crisis.
The officers arrived a few minutes later, and there was an altercation between them and a man on the scene and the officers finally restored him.
The Bei said that the man, who was later identified as Cruz, suffered “discomfort,” lost consciousness and died later in the hospital. They gave him first aid and transported him to the hospital where he was declared dead.
Family members, many of whom were on the scene that day, say there is more in history. According to the family, the paramedics were not allowed inside the apartment and could only treat Cruz once the police had transferred him outside the building.
They also question if their race played a role in how it was treated during the intervention and then.
Family launches a new video of the incident
The family released new video images of the incident on Wednesday. CBC News saw the videos that, in total, extend almost three minutes.
The videos show two officers who restrict Cruz on the back balcony of the apartment where he lived with his mother in Saint-Michel.
Cruz is face down on his stomach and the officers are kneeling. It is not clear if they are kneeling or their side.
In a moment, Cruz’s legs seem to be hitting the balcony. It is clearly in trouble. At a given time, you can listen to Cruz shouts “,Je Vais Mourir“What translates into” I’m going to die. “
Another video of a different angle shared on social networks collects events a little later. In this video, you can see Cruz fighting while an officer is clearly kneeling on his back.
Three weeks after Abisay Cruz, 29, died after a police intervention at his home, his family described his “unjustifiable” death, while he releases a new video from the intervention in which Cruz is heard shouting “I will die.”
The family says that the videos ask many questions. Fo Niemi, head of the local defense group, Research Center for Reliation Relations (Crar), agrees.
“The question is why such an excessive force when the policy directive was towards decallation, especially with someone who was in a state of visible anguish, obviously he needs mental health support,” Niemi said.
Call calm, support
Earlier this month, a multitude of people distrusted the Montreal Police Service while marching to the Saint-Michel police post, a few blocks to the south of where Cruz died.
It was the second death after a police operation in less than 12 hours that weekend. The BEI launched investigations in both cases.
“The residents of this neighborhood are anxious,” said community organizer Stéphanie Germain in the beginning of the march.
Cruz family members were remote behind her, choosing not to speak due to Bei’s ongoing investigation.
Some people wore balaclavas and black sweatshirts with a photo of Cruz smiling and holding a cake on his 29th birthday, which celebrated less than two weeks before he died.
“They told us that things would improve, but today we are afraid,” Germain said. “Unfortunately, today we ask what the role of the police is if not to protect.”
The protesters continued to pass through the police branch before returning and gathering in front of the residence where the intervention took place. During the march, the protesters threw pyrotechnics into the air at various points.
Police said they arrested six people, four for an armed assault against an officer and two for assault also against an officer. She said no one was injured.
Since then, the Montreal Police have requested calm. Cruz’s family is also asking people not to protest, but support their calls for the investigation of a public coroner.
The Forensic Office told CBC News that they are still investigating and do not rule out public investigation.
