The city of Antioch, California has agreed to pay $7.5 million to the family of Angelo Quinto, a 30-year-old man who died days after being restrained by police in 2020. Quinto was reportedly undergoing a mental health episode and died after police officers kneeled on his neck for nearly five minutes. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office stated that there was no evidence of criminal offense by Antioch police officers and that the officers’ actions were lawful and reasonable under the circumstances.
Despite conflicting medical opinions on the cause of Quinto’s death, an autopsy revealed that his cause of death was Excited Delirium Syndrome due to drug intoxication, psychiatric conditions, physical exertion, and cardiac arrest. Quinto’s family pushed for legislation to ban excited delirium as a cause of death in California, which was eventually signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The family’s attorneys stated that Quinto’s death prompted positive changes, including the introduction of police body cameras and a non-police mental health response team in Antioch.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe acknowledged that there was initially a lack of understanding within the city regarding the severity of the situation. Following Quinto’s death and the subsequent settlement with his family, the city has made efforts to reform its policies and procedures, including implementing body-worn cameras for police officers and focusing on mental health responses. The mayor emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing issues within the community to promote a safer environment for all residents.
During a news conference, Quinto’s stepfather, Robert Collins, expressed gratitude towards the mayor and city council for listening to the family’s calls for change. He highlighted the progress that has been made in response to Quinto’s death, including the introduction of new policies and initiatives aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. Quinto’s sister, Isabella Collins, described her brother as multifaceted and emphasized the importance of using his legacy to advocate for positive reforms and changes that benefit others.
The family’s attorneys, Ben Nisenbaum and John L. Burris, emphasized the family’s efforts to turn their tragedy into a positive force for change. They praised the city officials for their willingness to address the issues raised by Quinto’s death and work towards building a safer and more just community. The settlement reached between the city of Antioch and Quinto’s family serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability, transparency, and continuous efforts to improve law enforcement practices and ensure justice for all residents.
