Gathering honors man who died after police encounter
Navy veteran died days after suffering from a mental health crisis
Dozens of relatives and friends gathered in person and hundreds more virtually on Wednesday to celebrate the life of Angelo Quinto, who would have turned 31 that day if he had not died following an encounter with police.
Quinto, an Antioch resident and Navy veteran, was suffering from a mental health crisis Dec. 23 when his family called police for help. He was was restrained and handcuffed by arriving officers, then became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital, where he died three days later.
A coroner’s inquest hearing on his death will take place and an independent third party is to conduct a separate investigation into Quinto’s death to determine whether the officers violated departmental policy, according to police.
But Wednesday was a night for remembering Quinto, whom relatives described as a curious, sweet young boy who was born in the Philippines and grew up to become a nurturing and creative young man.
“This is a time when we are gathering to be part of something larger than ourselves in the name of Angelo,” Pastor Jeanelle Ablola of San Francisco told those gathered at Antioch City Park. “Each one of us has a story, has hopes … and although Angelo’s physical body was taken away from us, his spirit remains with us.”
Robert Collins, Quinto’s stepfather, said he called him “son” and Quinto in turn called him “dad.” He said it was through the tragic experience that he learned how many lives his son touched, “how he loved, supported and believed in others” and what a “true artist” he was.
“I would do anything for a doover to avoid the tragedy in some way, but I can’t take that all back and go back in time,” he said. “But I can remember him, honor his life and contributions to friends, family
and the community.”
Collins asked the crowd to help ensure Quinto’s life was not lost in vain and called for a ban on police knee-to-neck restraints.
“Help us make needed changes so other families don’t have to face the same thing we have had to face,” he said.
Some family members from Los Angeles and the Philippines joined remotely to share their memories. Others who attended the event in person sang, read poetry and lighted candles.
“He could have achieved more, but his life was gone too soon,” cousin Theresa Mirasol said.
Attorney John Burris, who has filed a claim against the city on behalf of Quinto’s family, told attendees what happened to the young veteran was “unconscionable.”
Burris has said Quinto died after an officer placed his knee on his neck while a second officer held his legs, a narrative police dispute.
“Angelo’s life, if you listen to the family and friends, you know he was on his way to leading a good life,” Burris said. “He hadn’t even really started, and for it to be taken away is hurtful to all of us, and that’s a tribute to all of you present here.”
Burris urged Quinto’s friends and others gathered to work at improving relationships between the police and the community and to examine mental health issues and how police handle them.
“Let’s go forward and work collectively to improve the relationships and prevent other Angelos from taking place.” he said.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who along with others called for police reform after the death, told Quinto’s family he was sorry “that this happened to all of you.”
“I don’t know what happened but I am committed that we get the facts and we find out what happened,” he said. “You don’t just deserve
that, but the entire community deserves that. You all deserve the truth.”
Thorpe added that within two months, the city will have acquired police body and dashboard cameras and that a mental health crisis response team will be assembled, among other reforms.
“I am here to tell everyone change has come to Antioch. It came on Nov. 3 because you made it happen,” he said.
Thorpe also thanked Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson for her work in shedding light on mental health issues and the need to take those responsibilities away from police “because it’s too much stress for them. They shouldn’t be doing that.”
Several speakers took the mic during the almost three-hour celebration, including representatives from the Justice for Angelo Quinto! Justice for All! Coalition, the National Alliance for Mentally
Ill and Assemblyman Rob Bonta.
“In a moment of crisis when he needed help the most, society failed him; we were not there for him in the way that we should,” Bonta said. “I pledge to do more for families like the Quinto-Collins family.”
Wanda Johnson, mother of Oscar Grant, who was killed by BART police in 2009, also offered her condolences and urged the community to work together for change.
“Don’t just walk away from this but continue to wrap your arms around his family daily,” she said. “This is a fight; this is a long fight. You may get tired, but hold each other up.
“Society so often just gives up and goes back to normal, but it cannot be normal because Angelo is gone. This city will never be the same again.”