SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Family and supporters of Jonathan Coronel stood at the San Diego County Administration Center Friday, demanding justice for the past three years without their loved one.
Coronel was shot 16 times by San Diego Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Villanueva in Vista July of 2017.
"It has been three years of trauma and dehumanization," Coronel's Cousin Rocio Zamora said.
Zamora urged defunding the Sheriff's Department, and transferring that money to underserved communities, "to transform them to community empowerment zones. The safest communities don't have the most cops they have the most resources."
She also demanded police officers be taken out of schools and replaced with counselors.
These demands shouted at a time when law enforcement is under the microscope.
Law enforcement said Coronel was a documented gang member with a warrant.
The morning Coronel died law enforcement said he ran from deputies. Once Villanueva caught up to Coronel, law enforcement said Coronel concealed his hand in his shirt, forcing Villanueva to fire.
A witness said Coronel took off his shirt to show he was unarmed.
Law enforcement confirmed Coronel was unarmed at the time of his death.
"Deputy Christopher Villanueva is the most dangerous gang member in Vista. He is the one who shot Sergio Weick 28 plus times," Zamora said.
Sergio Weick, 33, was shot and killed August of 2016 by Villanueva.
Law enforcement said he was running from deputies, had knives, and threatened deputies, forcing Villanueva to shoot. Law enforcement said he was also a documented gang member with a warrant.
Back on the steps of the county administration building, Zamora said they are not anywhere near ending their fight for justice, "three years and we are only growing bigger, we are only getting louder."
