The shooting happened November 18, 2018 on the 24000 block of O’Neil Ave. following a 911 call reporting a man with a knife. Officers found 29-year-old Agustin Gonsalez in the street and repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife. Video shows Gonsalez ignoring the commands and advancing toward an officer before being shot multiple times. Gonsalez was taken to a hospital where he later died. It was determined the object in his hand had been a razor blade.
Famed civil rights attorney John Burris is representing the family, and said in a press conference Friday that the 13 bullets fired were unnecessary. “You should bring out your beanbags, or your pepper spray, any number of things that are available, that these officer all had,” said Burris. “That could have been used at the time that they were there, without using deadly force.”
The decision to clear the officers comes six months after the shooting. The DA’s report, which is 30 pages long, says the investigation focused on whether there is sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a law enforcement official committed a crime in connection with the shooting death. DA Nancy O’Malley said no.
Family members met with their attorneys to read the district attorney’s final report on the deadly police shooting of the 29-year-old. “Just reading this whole article just makes me more angry,” said Karla Gonsalez, the man’s mother.
The report found that Gonsalez was suicidal, that he advanced on officers with the intention of getting them to shoot and kill him. It cited evidence, including a text message Gonsalez sent on the day of the shooting, He wrote in part, “I’ve surrendered myself to the devil and gave in…..I’m dead inside so I’m not sorry for the outcome.”
“No, deep down inside, it was a call for help,” said Karla about her son, “It’s not a reason for a police officer to come and kill them (him). It doesn’t give them the place of god to take their life,”
KRON4’s Michelle Kingston spoke with victim’s family. “My son was 29 years old. he has two beautiful kids that are 8 and 10. He adored them.” his mother Karla Gonsalez said. “He was a hard worker. He was goofy. He always knew how to make people laugh.” ” He knew how to brighten our room with a smile”. Gonsalez’s family is wondering how they’ll get through his daughter’s ninth birthday party and Christmas without him.
Meanwhile, there appears to be a power grab initiated by Hayward City Manager Kelly McAdoo that could strip each councilmember of its power to control the conversation at Hayward City Hall by limiting the number of referrals requested per elected official to five each year. Councilmember Aisha Wahab has offered at least five referrals already this year and it is just March.
But it was Wahab’s questions and referral about police de-escalation and mental health training that is the impetus for Tuesday night’s agenda item to reform the referral process. Wahab’s query came after the killing last November by Hayward Police of Agustin Gonsalez, a 29-year-old man was later found to have suffered from mental illness. The answers to Wahab’s question about the types of training and whether Hayward Police receive them did not come easy.
Last month, Wahab raised the issue again during a council meeting, but McAdoo questioned exactly what Wahab was actually asking them to do. Upset, Wahab revealed conversations on the topic that she had with the city manager and questioned whether Hayward police officers are receiving any mental health training at all.
Photos: Vigil for Agustin “Augie” Gonsalez – The Mercury News
Hayward Police Release Body Cam Video Of Fatal Shooting Of Man With Razor Blade
Hayward police officers cleared in deadly shooting of Agustin Gonsalez
Hayward: Police identify man fatally shot by officers
Justice for Agustin “Augie” Andres Gonsalez
Power grab at Hayward City Hall? City manager seeks to control council referrals
Calls of “Justice for Augustin Gonsalez” at the Hayward City Council
Family of Man Slain by Hayward Police Calls for Better Officer Training
Hayward: Call for investigation into police shooting
.
.
progressiveissuesblog 