Antonio Ibanez, a 42-year-old CalTrans worker, died after being on life support due to injuries sustained during an encounter with Montclair police officers on March 5, 2023. The police allegedly used batons and a taser on Ibanez, who was in critical condition after the beating. He later died at Montclair Hospital Medical Center.
The Montclair Police Department said that officers responded to a 911 call at a mobile home park, where they encountered Ibanez, who was allegedly threatening the female victim caller who lived at the same location, armed with an object. Ibanez’s family members, however, said that he had struggled with drug addiction and that the homeowner who called the police intended to get him some help.
During a news conference held by Ibanez’s family members and their attorney, Christian Contreras, on March 13, 2023, they called for justice and the release of police body camera footage. The incident has sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community, as Ibanez was reportedly a member of the community.
The case raises questions about police tactics and whether officers are equipped to help people in distress, as opposed to using force. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the incident, and the Montclair Police Department has not yet commented on the matter.
The incident comes amid a nationwide reckoning on police brutality and the use of excessive force against marginalized communities, particularly people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Activists are calling for greater police accountability and reform to prevent future incidents like this from happening. The death of Antonio Ibanez serves as a tragic reminder of the urgent need for change.