Antioch Police Chief Holds Press Conference on Death of Angelo Quinto

On Monday, Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks held a media press conference regarding the in-custody death of Angelo Quinto.

The chief also expressed that he was in full support of Antioch Police officers wearing body cameras and dash cameras on vehicles. A body camera proposal will be brought forward at the next council meeting.

During the press conference, Chief Brooks played the 9-1-1 call from the home. The call disconnected. The 9-1-1 dispatcher called back number. Brooks then played radio traffic from officers.

The incident occurred on Dec. 23 at 11:10 pm, police received a call from a woman screaming the address of 1900 block of Crestwood block.

The woman was screaming at her brother only to disconnect.

The dispatcher called back.

The woman said her brother was physically restraining her mother. She said she was armed with a hammer after he took it from her and she had taken it back. She also told the dispatcher he took drugs.

While on the phone with the dispatcher, she told her that her mother was not breathing, and he was strangling her. At that point, she opened the door for police.

When officers arrived, she thanked the dispatcher.

Chief Brooks then played the dispatched highlighting the reporting party is armed with a hammer after the mother took it away from the brother. Dispatch then told officers that the reporting party could hear Quinto was hurting the mother and known to use drugs. A short time later, it was relayed that Quinto was strangling the mother.

According to Brooks, officers arrived on scene to find Angela Quinto being actively restrained by his mother on a bedroom floor in the house and requested she get off of him so they could detain him.

“According to preliminary results of an investigation, at one point during the hand cuff, an officer did briefly for a few seconds have a knee across a portion of his shoulder blade which is a common control technique taught California POST,” stated Brooks. “At no point, did any officer use a knee or any body part to gain leverage or apply pressure to Angelo’s head, neck or throat which is outside of our policy and training.”

He continued saying one officer tried to gain control of Angelo’s legs as they were “thrashing around”.  At that point another officer spoke to Angelo’s mother to determine his medical history. Officers determined Angelo was suffering a mental health crisis and summoned an ambulance at approximately 11:16 pm with two additional officers arriving on scene and paramedics on scene by 11:23 pm.

“As medics entered the room, officers recognized that Angelo had become unresponsive and potentially experiencing a medical emergency. Angelo was immediately unhandcuffed and medics began evaluating him and rendered medical aid,” stated Brooks.

Brooks continued saying Angelo was transferred to an area hospital by approximately 11:30 pm.

Fatal incident protocol was initiated where the  Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office led the investigation. Ultimately, Angelo was admitted to the intensive care unit and remained in their care for 3-days before informed of his passing.

Brooks released details from multiple pathologists relating to their findings.

1. Although Angelo had injuries consistent with a struggle with his family and law enforcement, none of the injuries appeared to be fatal.
2. There were no fractures of the skull, torso, or extremities.
3. A full examination of the neck revealed there was no evidence of strangulation or crushed airway.
4. They are currently expanding toxicology testing because they were aware of reported past drug use.

Brooks stated a public coroners inquest will provide the medical examiner to provide insight into the medical cause and manner of death—the hearing has yet to be scheduled.  A third-party investigation is in process for this case to determine if any violation of departmental policies occurred.

Brooks closed by offering condolences to the family on their devastating loss.

UPDATED

Editors note:
Councilmembers Mike Barbanica and Lori Ogorchock were in attendance. Mayor Lamar Thorpe, Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson and councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker were not in attendance.