by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

The family of Diego Rios, who died last week following a use of force incident by Claremont Police Department officers, held a candlelight vigil Monday as they continue to seek answers in the 30-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident’s death.

The incident occurred about 3:18 p.m. Friday, November 28 near Claremont Boulevard and Andrew Drive. Claremont police released a statement the following morning:

“… the Claremont Police Department received two reports of a male acting erratically and possibly under the influence of narcotics in the area of Claremont Blvd. and Andrew Dr. One caller reported that the male entered a vehicle and left the location. As officers arrived in the area, they observed the subject driving and conducted a traffic enforcement stop. Based on the subject’s behavior, officers believed he was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. The officers asked the subject to step out of the vehicle, at which point a use-of-force incident occurred. During the encounter, the subject became unresponsive.”

A candlelight vigil for Diego Rios, the 30-year-old who died November 28 following a use of force incident involving Claremont Police Department officers, was held Monday near Claremont Boulevard and Andrew Drive. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Claremont police said CPD and LA County Fire Department paramedics began lifesaving measures following what the LA County Sheriff’s Department referred to as a “controlled takedown.” Rios was then transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

“Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. German Ochoa said the preliminary investigation found the use of force was a controlled takedown after Rios resisted officers trying to handcuff him,” the Daily Bulletin’s Anissa Rivera reported. “He said more information may be developed after the involved officers are interviewed.”

The Courier made multiple attempts to speak to the Claremont Police Department.

“Neither the Claremont Police Department nor the City can provide further information as the case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department — Homicide Bureau,” CPD Captain Robert Ewing wrote in an email. “All questions regarding the investigation can be directed to them.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John Ganarial and detective Daniel Machuca did not respond to multiple attempts to reach them for comment.

Ewing did not respond to queries asking for the names of the CPD officers involved, or whether they remain on duty or are on administrative leave, paid or otherwise.

Claremont Public Information Officer Bevin Handel responded Tuesday.

“The incident is under investigation by LASD detectives and disclosing information could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation,” Handel wrote in an email. “LASD detectives need to conduct interviews, search the vehicle, gather evidence, review video footage, and obtain the medical examiner and toxicology reports before concluding their investigation. (Toxicology usually takes several months) We expect this process to take a while. We will not be releasing any information or responding to comments on the incident while it is under investigation. CPD is working with LASD and we will let you know when more information is released by LASD.”

Flyers were posted Monday near Claremont Boulevard and Andrew Drive asking the public for information about a 3:18 p.m. November 28 traffic stop of 30-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident Diego Rios, who died after a Claremont Police Department use of force incident. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Rios’ family launched a GoFundMe campaign on November 30 at gofundme.com/f/diego-rios-memorial to raise money for “related burial expenses, a second private autopsy, and related fees if we decide to pursue legal action related to the cause of his death.”

“We want justice for Diego. We do not have clear answers about how he passed away,” reads the GoFundMe description. “Diego was last seen alive when he was pulled over during a traffic stop by two Claremont police officers at the corner of Claremont Blvd and Andrews Drive in Claremont, CA. Claremont PD confirmed that use-of-force was used on Diego and they have not provided us any additional information.”

A candlelight vigil took place Monday evening near where Rios was pulled over by CPD. Among the mourners were his brother, Victor Rios Jr., mother, Zarela Boza, and father Victor Rios.

“The last few days have been the worst of my life,” Victor Rios Jr. said. “I wake up, milliseconds there I feel a sense of normalcy, and then I come to the horrible realization that it’s not normal. And then the next thought is immediately, brother, I failed you. I would gladly take his place.”

Victor Rios Jr. said his family was shattered by the loss.

“We have each other. We’re completely destroyed individually,” he said. “I have a lot of emotions: great sadness, great rage. I’m trying to tamp the negativity down, and it’s very hard to because what happened to my brother doesn’t add up … It’s not fair … these kinds of things can’t keep happening.

CBS News reported Monday that a witness to the incident said officers pinned Rios to the ground while he yelled out that he was unable to breathe. The Courier asked the City of Claremont and the Claremont Police Department to view the officers’ body cam footage from the incident, but has not yet received a response. Nearby business were asked to share surveillance footage, but each declined.

Zarela Boza (right), mother of Diego Rios, and her sister at Monday’s candlelight vigil for her son Diego Rios, who died November 28 following a use of force incident involving Claremont Police Department officers. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Justin Kennedy had been a friend of Diego Rios since elementary school.

“Diego wouldn’t hurt a fly, so for his life to get taken over a random traffic stop, it makes no sense,” Kennedy said. “We will get justice for him.”

The family denied allegations Diego Rios was under the influence at the time of his death.

“There’s just no history of him doing that; it doesn’t add up given what we know of him,” Victor Rios Jr. said. “He was with our mother maybe an hour and-a-half before just shooting the breeze, talking to mom, being fun and jovial.”

Kennedy said Diego Rios always put others above himself. 

“He’s just taking care of everybody and it’s like he had that relationship with anybody that he met,” Kennedy said. “It just really hurts. I’m about to be in a point in my life where I was going to be able to reciprocate all of that to him, and I had so many plans to be able to just show the love that him and his family gave back to me.”

Kennedy said he will honor his friend, “by just being the man that he always wanted to be and had plans of being.”