Man In Coma After Police Altercation

A man who got into a fight with Anaheim police officers Sunday morning was hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.

Officers were called about 9:15 a.m. to the 2600 block of West Broadway Avenue by a woman who reported that she was being followed home by a man later identified as 24-year-old Fermin Vincent Valenzuela, Anaheim Police Sgt. Daron Wyatt said.

When officers arrived, Valenzuela became combative with officers and when he became medically distressed during the tussle, officers tried to render medical aid and called for an ambulance, Wyatt said.

Valenzuela was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, Wyatt said.

Valenzuela's family called the police account into question during a press conference outside the hospital Sunday afternoon.

Family members said officers did not quickly make efforts to assist Valenzuela.

"I want justice for him," said his ex-wife, Patricia Gonzalez, who went to the hospital Sunday with their two children, along with Valenzuela's family, friends and an attorney.

"He had some mental illness to where he did require some medication," she said, adding "I just want answers. I want to know what happened."

The video from body cameras worn by the officers was turned over to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, which will be the lead investigative agency in the matter.

The Anaheim Police Major Incident Review Team also will conduct an investigation, as will the Office of Independent Review, Wyatt said.

Valenzuela was arrested on charges of possession of narcotics paraphenalia and charges related to resisting arrest.

City News Service and Kate Larsen contributed to this report.