Family Of Man Who Died After Being Tased Call For Justice

AUSTIN, TX – More than two months after a man died after being Tased by Austin police, his family is issuing a renewed call for justice.

Enrique Quiroz, 41, died March 31 after police were dispatched to a home in the 800 block of West Slaughter Lane in South Austin for a report of trespassing. The complainant told police her children's father was acting strangely while refusing to leave the premises.

According to police, Quiroz became combative, prompting one officer to deploy a Taser. Once handcuffed, he experienced an unspecified "medical emergency," according to the police account. He was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment but died a short time later, police said.

Speaking at a news conference Friday afternoon at the scene where Quiroz died, Benny Ochoa, a cousin of Quiroz, questioned why the autopsy report and body cam footage have not yet been released.

"Our cousin Enrique's name has been getting forgotten," he said.

Ochoa said he and his family have received an outpouring of support from members of the community who have offered to fight against police brutality on behalf of Quiroz.

"He was crying out for help, he was crying out for his life," he said. "There's no need to die over a trespassing violation."

Ochoa also called for unity across Austin against police brutality, in the spirit of his cousin's peaceful nature.

"He was a very important piece of the family," he said. "We all loved him very much. That's why we can't understand why this happened."

Related:

• Austin PD IDs Man Who Died After Being Tased
• Austin PD IDs Officers Involved In In-Custody Death