Family of Montreal man who died in police intervention still waiting for answers

Friends and family of Abisay Cruz say they’re still waiting for answers nearly two months after he died during a police intervention.

“I don’t even have a report of the death,” said Josue Cruz, his brother.

Video of the incident taken by witnesses on March 30 shows four officers forcing the 29-year-old to the ground and cuffing his hands behind his back while one officer appeared to be kneeling on him.

Cruz was having a mental health crisis, according to his family.

They say they are still waiting for an autopsy report.

READ MORE: ‘They destroyed my life’: Family of Montreal man who died in police intervention demands public coroner’s inquiry

“It’s more than just about the death and the need for justice and reparation,” said Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) Executive Director Fo Niemi. “It’s the need to maintain that sacred trust between the people and the community, the police and the justice system as a whole.”

At a Take the Knee event in the West Island, Allison Saunders argued that the trust between police and the public has been fractured for years.

“I have two sons, and I’m not going to lie; I’m afraid of what their interactions with the police will be,” said Saunders. “People think it’s in the [United] States. ‘It’s not us.’ It is us, and it’s happening.”

It’s a fear shared by other mothers, who say action is urgently needed.

“Our government needs to take accountability and admit that we do have systemic racism in our communities and work with the police to end this,” said Svetlana Chernienko.

Cruz’ family say Abisay’s death has left a void and raised difficult questions.

“Do they [the police] have training?” his brother asked.

It’s a question that lingers as they push for answers, arguing that without accountability, there can be no closure.