On July 2, 2019 San Jose Police Officers Anthony Vizzusi and Michael Santos were found liable in a civil trial of killing 18-year-old Anthony Nuñez on July 4, 2016. Both of these officers are still employed by SJPD. It is unacceptable, disrespectful and dangerous for them to still be allowed anywhere near our communities here in San Jose. We demand that they be fired immediately and that SJPD + The City of San Jose change its protocol to not allow cops like this to remain employed. Read, sign and share our petition below. #JusticeForAnthonyNuñez

On July 4, 2016 18-year-old Anthony Nuñez was having a mental health / suicidal crisis. Instead of helping him, the San Jose Police Department showed up in full tactical gear with no plan, shooting young Anthony with high velocity ammunition weapons just minutes after arriving. They handcuffed Anthony afterwards and left his body in front of his home for several hours. 

Three years later on July 2, 2019 a jury found San Jose officers Anthony Vizzusi and Michael Santos liable for the unlawful killing of Anthony Nuñez. During the two week long trial, all of the gruesome details of Anthony’s murder were brought to light: SJPD’s lack of coordination and communication, the excessive militarized approach, the immediate disrespect and disregard for a young man’s life - Anthony’s 19-year old cousin who made the call to 911 saw Officers Vizzusi and Santos high five afterwards. When the incident happened, SJPD claimed Anthony pointed a gun at the officers aggressively, justifying their use of force. During the trial it was revealed that Anthony in fact did not have a weapon on him, much less pointed it at the officers. 

The success of this trial was only possible through the strength of Anthony’s family, friends and supporting community, who packed the courtroom the entire two weeks in a show of solidarity. Anthony’s parents, Sandy & Jesse Sanchez, had to sit in the courtroom with these two officers and relive this horrific event while the city attorney and other police officers continued to defame Anthony and justify his killing. 

Today, four and a half years after Anthony’s passing - the pain is still the same for Sandy & Jesse. The City of San Jose cannot pay its way out of accountability. This is completely unacceptable - why are we paying these officers to work in our city? As community members of San Jose and in solidarity with Anthony’s family - we demand these officers are removed from our police department and that SJPD + City of San Jose change its protocol to remove cops like Vizzusi and Santos entirely from our communities.