Family seeks justice

"If he was white and middle class from San Mateo ... there would be justice. We can't allow this to keep happening," said Jose Luis Pavon, who met Ayala about a year ago and was "shocked to hear about his death."

Ayala died on April 3 after a confrontation with police at South San Francisco's Airport Inn, located at 751 Airport Blvd.

Officers responded to the area around 12:17 a.m. and confronted Ayala, who was allegedly "immediately combative." Additional officers were called to the scene to assist in Ayala's arrest, police reported.

After a 15-minute struggle, five officers restrained Ayala in a body wrap restraint device. Officers noticed Ayala was not breathing. Paramedics began lifesaving efforts but were unsuccessful, according to police.

So far, their requests have been ignored, said sister Tania Orellana-Ortega. The frustration began when the family was not allowed to view Ayala's body until it arrived at the mortuary four days after the incident. Police claimed there was not a proper viewing area for the family to identify the body, Orellana-Ortega said.

Ayala's death is still under investigation by the San Mateo County Coroner's Office and will be reviewed by the District Attorney's Office. South San Francisco police did not return a call for comment yesterday.

Ayala, of San Francisco, used to file papers at a law firm and was planning on returning to school. Now, the family is stuck trying to explain his death, Orellana-Ortega said.

"When I told my 7-year-old son, he started screaming. He asks me if the police killed him," Orellana-Ortega said with tears running down her cheeks.

Ayala's mother spent the majority of yesterday's hour-long protest wiping away tears. She clinched her fists in anger when handed the loudspeaker by members of her family.

The crowd wore shirts with a young picture of Ayala, chanted "Justice for Julio" and walked in a circle in front of the steps of City Hall. Meanwhile, crowds of people gathered across the street to watch and cars honked their horns while passing by.

A coroner's report is due out in the coming weeks, followed by the district attorney's ruling on whether to file charges against the police officers involved. It is unknown how many police officers were involved and whether they were placed on administrative leave.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.