(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Protestors shouted “Justice for Anthony!” in front of the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, Oct. 14 for a call of action after a shooting left Anthony Padilla dead in his own apartment complex
The Padilla family said Anthony was shot and killed at his apartment complex by a neighbor. Ian Padilla, Anthony’s younger brother, told FOX21 News Anthony was using the communal laundry room at his apartment complex when a neighbor accused him of breaking and entering. Ian claims that same neighbor eventually shot Padilla.
They allege that deputies did not provide Anthony with proper medical care, which they say resulted in his death.
Ian said his brother was treated like a criminal, and left on the ground to bleed out for about six minutes after the shooter was secured. The Padilla family told FOX21 they have the body camera video, but don’t want it released due to its graphic nature.
“They didn’t give him the correct medical treatment. When Anthony’s there, seen lying on the ground asking for help from one of the deputies. You see where they’re just sitting there looking over him, not even tending to him,” said Ian. “I feel a bit disgusted because of how this can go on in today’s world. That a case like this can be mishandled, so bad, that a killer’s walking out on the streets.”
The family said the case was taken to a grand jury, where they claim no evidence was shown, resulting in no charges being brought.
“The head investigator told us that she was not allowed to present any of the evidence she had collected during the case,” said Ian.
The family believes District Attorney Michael Allen mishandled the case to protect the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies who responded to the call.
The district attorney did not respond to FOX21’s request for comment by the time of publication.
“What we’re hoping to gain is to get District Attorney Michael Allen out, because his methods of handling this case–it was a bunch of neglect just because of the sheriff’s involvement. We’re also looking to get this case reopened so we can get the shooter prosecuted, and put in jail, behind bars,” Ian said.
The protest comes on Indigenous Peoples Day. The Padilla family believes they’ve been mistreated because of their Native American ancestry. Ian Padilla said he and his brother Anthony have lived in Colorado Springs their entire lives.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) declined to comment on the claims.
