Family looks for answers after fatal police shooting
Ryan Ronquillo’s vigil held in spot where he died.
Steve Hendricks stood twice in one week smoking a cigarette in the same spot, mourning the death of two of his young friends.
The first time was Tuesday at the Romero Family Funeral Home, as he was paying respects for Isaiah Luevano, 19, who died in June. From there, he stepped outside of the short, white building on the 4700 block of Tejon Street for a smoke and a chance to relax, he said.
Afewyards fromhimwas a friend, RyanRonquillo, 20, sitting in a car and also taking a breather from the service honoring Luevano, Hendricks said.
In swooped two police cars and several officers serving Ronquillo felony auto-theft warrants as he sat in the car. Denver police say Ronquillo was in a stolen car and put it in reverse, striking a female officer and her car. Two officers behind Ronquillo opened fire. Then Ronquillo pulled forward and again officers opened fire.
Police estimate that 12 shots were fired at the 20year-old — who was not armed— killing him.
“Traumatizing,” Hendricks said Sunday evening as he smoked a cigarette after a vigil for Ronquillo in the funeral home parking lot.
About 75 people gathered to pray, vent their anger and demand justice Sunday standing in the spot where they said Ronquillo choked on his blood and died. Community members are angry that Denver police served the warrants at a funeral— whichwas letting out at the time — where dozens, including children, witnessed Ronquillo’s death.
“I just want to know why they did this to my son,” April Sanchez, Ronquillo’s mother, told The Denver Post through sobs. “Why did they do this to me?”
Sanchez, flanked by Ronquillo’s cousin and girlfriend, wants justice for her son, whowas just days away from his 21st birthday. She said that she hasn’t been able to see his body yet. “I want help,” she said. Annie Sanchez, Ronquillo’s aunt, says the man’s family has contacted a lawyer and plans to explore taking legal action against the city. Police ChiefRobert White last week expressed sympathy to Ronquillo’s family and the family of another man also killed by officers during an undercover drug operation just hours beforeRonquillowas killed.
“We are asking for the community to come together and hold the Denver police accountable for what they did,” Sanchez said.