Montreal family wants answers after loved one dies following police intervention
A makeshift memorial outside an apartment building in Montreal's Saint-Michel neighbourhood speaks to the anguish the Cruz family is experiencing.
'Because it's been nearly a month since my brother died and we have no information,' Josué Cruz, brother of Abisay Cruz told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday, as their mother Marcelina Isidro fought back tears.
Abisay Cruz, was declared dead in hospital after an intervention with Montreal police on March 30th at his mother's home. Neighbours and family members took video recordings and photos of the incident.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'In one of the videos one of the officers involved indeed did say yes, we know that you're in distress,' said family lawyer, René Saint-Léger.
According to the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), police were called to the apartment shortly after 8 a.m. responding to a person in crisis. Saint-Léger said the family doesn't know who placed the call, why police arrived in such large numbers, and why officers were, in the family's view, overly aggressive.
Story continues below advertisement
'One witness said one officer kicked Mr. Cruz in the belly when he was already raising his hands as if to surrender,' said Fo Niemi, head of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), who is advocating for the family.
Saint-Léger added that once Cruz was on the ground he was forcefully subdued, reminding them of what happened to George Floyd.
'One of the officers had his knee on his back, almost touching the neck of Mr. Cruz,' he pointed out.
According to Niemi, the family still has not gotten a copy of the autopsy. Cruz says the family wants a public inquiry.
A spokesperson for the BEI says their investigation is still ongoing and that their probes take an average of six months to complete.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Memorial mass in Vancouver to mark 40 days since Lapu Lapu Day attack
Members of Vancouver's Filipino community and others will honour and pray for victims of the Lapu Lapu festival attack at a memorial mass today, 40 days after the tragedy that left 11 people dead. The date is significant in Filipino Catholic tradition as the end of a mourning period, and Rev. Francis Galvan says he expects the mass at St. Andrew's Parish church in East Vancouver at 6 p.m. to be crowded. Galvan, who is of Filipino heritage and is the pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Delta, B.C., says it's important for the healing process to be shared. 1:54 Filipino community concerned with Vancouver's event for Lapu Lapu victims He also says it's important to show solidarity with victims' families by hearing their stories and mourning together. Story continues below advertisement Vancouver police say seven people injured in the attack remain in hospital as of Tuesday afternoon, with six in stable condition and one in serious condition. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In a statement issued Thursday morning, advocacy group Filipino BC says the 40th day 'holds deep spiritual meaning.' 'It is believed that the soul remains close to us during these 40 days, before finding peace and fully departing from the physical world.' The statement lists names and ages of all 11 people who died in the attack, who ranged in age from five to 60. 'This is not closure,' Filipino BC said of the 40th day. 'Healing does not follow a schedule. But today offers a moment to pause. To gather. To feel. And to remind ourselves that healing, while difficult, is possible when we do it together.' 2:22 Brief court appearance for Lapu Lapu Day suspect RJ Aquino, who chairs Filipino BC, said the aftermath of the April 26 attack had cast a shadow over Filipino Heritage Month, which is marked every June. Story continues below advertisement He said some people were still having a difficult time crossing the street or even leaving their homes after the attack, but being with other members of the community is a way to encourage collective healing. The City of Vancouver has separately announced plans for a large-scale memorial event later this month to honour the victims. The 'Come Together: Vancouver Strong,' benefit concert will be held at Rogers Arena, although the exact date has not been set. Attack suspect Adam Kai-Ji Lo faces eight counts of second-degree murder, and Vancouver police have said more charges are expected. He is due back in court on Friday, as preparations to determine if he's fit to stand trial continue.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Doorbell camera shows wanted dad days before his 3 daughters found dead
The Washington dad wanted for the murders of his three daughters was spotted on doorbell camera in the days leading up to the brutal killings, with police sharing footage of Travis Decker's 'last known appearance' before his children's deaths. The footage captures Decker, 32, walking up to an unidentified home's door and knocking on it, before bizarrely running his hand up and down the surface of the door. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office, which released the footage, noted the video was taken before the alleged killings but said it decided to share it as it's the most recent sighting of the suspected killer. Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead on Monday after being reported missing on Friday, May 30, following a 'planned visitation' with their dad. The siblings were found dead near a campground, a day after Washington State Patrol called off an endangered missing persons alert for the sisters. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen (L-R) – Evelyn, Paityn and Olivia Decker likely died by asphyxiation, according to a preliminary report filed with the Chelan County Superior Court. GoFundMe According to an affidavit, Chelan County Sheriff's Office deputies found the girls' bodies a short distance away from Decker's white GMC truck. Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said. Now, a manhunt is underway for Decker, with officials noting he could be 'anywhere in the nation.' Travis Decker is wanted by police for the murders of his three daughters. Handout / Wenatchee Police Department Local authorities are working with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Marshal's Office in their search. Story continues below advertisement 'We will not rest until we have located him,' Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said during a press conference Wednesday. 'He can be anywhere within the nation, so that's why we have our federal partners on scene helping us bring in additional resources.' 1:40 Father wanted for murders of 3 missing daughters found dead in Washington state 'Travis, if you're listening, this is your opportunity to turn yourself in, do the right thing, do what you need to do and take accountability for your actions. We're not going to rest, and we're going to make sure we find you. You will be brought to justice. Those young ladies deserve it,' Morrison said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A reward of up to $20,000 was available for information leading directly to his arrest. Travis Decker. Handout / Chelan County Sheriff's Office Decker joined the Army in 2013 and transferred to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Washington Military Department spokesperson Karina Shagren told The Associated Press. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Story continues below advertisement Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge for him, Shagren said. 'This is an absolute tragedy,' Shagren said. 'We are mourning along with the community.' Morrison, speaking about Decker's proficiency as an outdoorsman and time spent in school for survival skills, told reporters on Wednesday that 'it sounds like at times he would go out and would be leaving off grid for sometimes up to two and a half months.' 'So we understand that that's a possibility, that he could have scoped out this area before, put supplies out there and has the ability and the knowledge to survive for a long period of time.' A GoFundMe, founded by family friend Amy Edwards, is raising money for the girls' mother, Whitney. 'We are heartbroken to share that the girls have since passed … the pain of this loss is immeasurable,' Edwards wrote on the fundraising page, which has amassed nearly US$900,000 as of Thursday morning. 'I've known Whitney for years, we're both dance moms and theater friends (and I've) had the privilege of teaching Whitney's girls.' Decker has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping, in addition to custodial interference charges. Story continues below advertisement Decker is described as five feet eight inches tall and 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-coloured shirt and dark shorts.
Global News
3 hours ago
- Global News
‘Very active' hunt for Toronto shooting suspects underway, chief says
Toronto police are 'laser focused' on tackling gun violence after a shooting Tuesday night left one person dead and five others hurt, chef Myron Demkiw says. Demkiw, alongside Mayor Olivia Chow and Coun. Mike Colle, spoke to reporters Thursday more than 24 hours after gunshots rattled the area of Flemington Road and Zachary Court in North York. 'I do want to reassure Torontonians that we are doing everything we possibly can to advance the investigation that is very active at the moment,' he said. 'We're also committed to doing everything we can to prevent and intervene regarding violence, not just in this community but across the city, and will remain to remain laser focused in our efforts to do everything we can to tackle gun violence, particularly as the summer months are upon us.' Story continues below advertisement Around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, police were called to the area after suspects shot a group of people gathered outside. The shooting initially caused confusion as police and paramedics rushed to the scene, offering differing casualty numbers. By the time all victims had been taken to hospital, the number of people who had been shot stood at six. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In total, there were four men and one woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. One other man was confirmed dead by police just before 10 p.m. 2:28 1 man dead 5 others injured in Lawrence Heights shooting: Toronto police Det. Sgt. Tiffany Castell told reporters Wednesday afternoon police believe three suspects were responsible for the shooting. She said one of those injured was 17 years old, while the man who died was 31. He is the city's 13th homicide victim so far this year. The suspects are described as male, slim to average build, wearing dark clothing and with their faces covered. Police said all three were armed. Story continues below advertisement The shooting has rattled the community, and Chow, Demkiw and Colle were in the neighbourhood Thursday meeting with area residents. 'It was a difficult conversation, but critically important. There was a lot of grief, which I completely understand. Losing a loved one or watching your neighbours being gunned down is traumatizing,' Chow said. 'But what's encouraging is they maintain their hope that things can change … and they gave us some very concrete things that we can do, one of which is an accessible, safe space for young people to gather, for community to gather. Surely, we could do that.' Pastor Delroy Sherman told Global News Wednesday the shooting should be a wake-up call to tighten gun laws in the country. 'It shouldn't take months or years to change the gun laws. That's what needs to be done in our community,' he said. Demkiw also spoke about justice reform when asked Thursday. 'Frankly, it's complicated, and it's not one stream. We need reform across the system. It's not just about bail, it's also about deterrence, it's also about accountability,' he said. 'We need a proper conversation about all those issues, and take some steps to actually not only hold offenders accountable during the process of trial, but hold them accountable through the sentencing stream.' Story continues below advertisement The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. — with files from Isaac Callan
