US officer who killed Irishman is charged with child sex abuse
THE US police officer who shot dead Irishman Andrew Hanlon was dramatically arrested yesterday and charged with child sex abuse.
Officer Tony Gonzalez, from Silverton, Oregon, was arrested at his home following a complaint made by a woman.
The woman and her daughter, who cannot be named because of her age, reported multiple incidents of sexual abuse and identified Gonzalez as the culprit.
After investigating the allegations, Gonzalez was arrested by Salem Police and charged with two counts of first degree sex abuse and three counts of third degree sex abuse.
He is in jail pending a court hearing. Gonzalez was suspended from duties following the death of Mr Hanlon (20), who was shot at least seven times by Gonzalez after the police officer responded to reports of a burglary in Silverton on June 30.
His family insist the young man was disorientated and thought he was knocking on his sister's door when somebody reported an attempted break-in to the police.
Following the latest bizarre development, a family member yesterday refused to comment, saying they have been advised not to speak to the press and to refer media inquiries to their lawyers.
Warning
The family had no warning that Gonzalez was to be arrested and were told about it yesterday morning, shortly after he was taken into custody. They had not yet had a chance to discuss the implications of the arrest with their lawyers, the family spokesman said.
Just hours before Gonzalez was arrested, family and friends of the dead Irishman attended a memorial service at the nearby Unger Funeral Chapel.
About 20 people, including Mr Hanlon's mother Dorothea Carroll, attended the service.
"It was small, quiet and private, which is what the family wanted," said Ariel Burton, a close friend of Mr Hanlon.
Eric Clapton's 'Tears in Heaven' was played and a close friend of the family shared a few words about Mr Hanlon.
It was a closed-casket service with Father William Hammelman of St Paul Catholic Church in Silverton officiating.
After the service, Mrs Carroll spoke briefly to friends and community members who have offered their support.
The shooting is being investigated by the multi-agency Marion County Homicide Assault Response Team, and its findings will be reviewed by the district attorney's office.
A grand jury is expected to be convened after the investigation is concluded.
The family had a meeting on Friday with Marion County District Attorney Walt Beglau but friends said they were disappointed with how little information they were given.
The family was also upset with a statement released by the Silverton Police Officers' Association in which it publicly supported Gonzalez.
Mr Beglau said last week he was hopeful that the investigation could be completed soon but that was before the latest twist in events.
- Grainne Cunningham
