The attorney for a woman whose son died in the custody of Riverside police after a videotaped, physical confrontation with officers filed a claim with the city on Thursday, Nov. 20, seeking at least $20 million and alleging wrongful death and excessive force.
Peter Villalobos, 27, died on June 20 at Riverside Community Hospital after officers repeatedly hit him as they say he resisted arrest. His mother, Olivia Villalobos, said in an interview in July that her son had schizophrenia but had been “weaned” off medication. The officers striking Villalobos in the video did not appear to discuss whether he might be mentally ill or sick.
“It’s certainly our belief the officers are or should have been trained in de-escalation techniques and be able to identify people who have mental disorders,” attorney Trent C. Packer said in an interview. “The officers made no effort to de-escalate the situation and resorted to physical violence when Peter presented no risk of harm.”
The claim is a legally required precursor to a lawsuit. The City Council has 45 days to reject the claim. The attorney will then have six months to sue. The department on Friday declined to comment on the claim, citing the ongoing investigations by the department and the Riverside County Force Investigation Detail.
The cause of death has not been announced.
Warning: This video contains graphic content
Police Chief Larry Gonzalez narrated a 45-minute video that begins with a 911 call from a McDonald’s manager and takes the viewer through an officer’s attempt to coax Villalobos out of a bathroom stall at a McDonald’s on Indiana Avenue, two officers’ efforts to question and then handcuff Villalobos, the resulting fight, and finally a portion of the ambulance ride to the hospital and his treatment there.
“We wanted to make sure we captured the patience our officers used to try to bring this to a peaceful resolution, and unfortunately, it did not (end peacefully),” Gonzalez said in an interview after posting the video in July. He added that the department has improved its training for encounters with mentally ill people.
Villalobos’ death prompted his mother to post signs near the McDonald’s containing messages such as “Justice for Peter” and asking witnesses to come forward. She has also been active on social media.
“I think she is a fierce, determined and loyal representative of her son and what his life meant to her,” Packer said. “It’s an unspeakable tragedy for what she has had to endure.”
