Angel Hernandez
Angel Zapata Hernandez, 24, died on Oct. 15, 2019, while in MTS custody in San Diego, California.
Zapata Hernandez was stopped by an inspector of Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). Hernandez initially spoke to the inspector but ran off when an Allied Universal security officer arrived on the scene. The two officers chased Hernandez for approximately 100 yards before catching up and forcing him to the ground. As he lay with his stomach on the ground, handcuffed with hands behind his back, one of the two officers knelt on Hernandez’s neck.
The footage shows Zapata Hernandez initially appeared to resist and tried to move his body away from the officer’s foot, before becoming increasingly motionless and silent. According to the video, the security officer knelt on his neck for just over six minutes.
The Hernandez family reached a $5.5 million settlement with Metropolitan Transit Authority. In April 2021 his mother filed a lawsuit against the San Diego Police Department for its alleged inaction during the incident. In October 2021, the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against two police officers who were watching the arrest of Hernandez.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“That death could have been prevented had there been timely intervention and proper emergency medical aid rendered,” said the family’s lawyer, Eugene Iredale. “They failed in their duty.”
A statement released by MTS (Metropolitan Transit System) the following day read: “Initial information provided by witnesses and the MTS employees indicate the male was acting erratically and was possibly under the influence.”
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
