Cyclists say off-duty cop was aggressive and put riders in danger

It all started with a group bike ride called Critical Mass.

The bicyclists, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, ride together through downtown.
But on Friday night bicyclists say an off-duty police officer was out of control jumping curbs with his motorcycle and putting one bicyclist in a choke-hold.

“It was a very nice evening, it was leisurely,” said Carmen Tellez, a cyclist that attended the Critical Mass bike ride.

She said the evening kicked off perfectly until a bicyclist stopped traffic at an intersection when the traffic light turned red.

Riders told ABC-7 the cyclist stopped the traffic to keep the group together.

“He was kind of asking the motorists to wait patiently while the rest of the group passed,” said Tellez.

That’s when they say an off-duty police officer in a motorcycle sped through the group and tried to detain the cyclist.

“He was driving very recklessly, erratically. He was swerving,” said Tellez.
She went on to say, “he even jumped a curb.”

Cesar Lopez was chaperoning the ride from his truck.

He was looking after his two daughters riding in the group.
Lopez said he saw the off-duty officer drop his bike and detain the cyclist.

Lopez said the officer put the cyclist in a choke hold.

Police have confirmed the off-duty officer involved in this incident is Jorge Gonzalez.

The officer made headlines in 2010 when, while he was off duty, he shot and paralyzed a 20-year-old man.

He was charged with aggravated assault causing bodily harm and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Gonzalez was placed on administrative duty.

Cyclists said they understand they also played a part by not following traffic laws and the incident can be a learning opportunity for everyone involved.

“We need to take this opportunity to for all El Pasoans both cyclists and motorists to educate ourselves and get more culture like other cities in the United States towards cyclists,” said Lopez.

ABC-7 spoke to the District Attorneys office. A spokesperson told ABC-7 Gonzalez’s 2010 case is still pending.

Friday night’s incident is being investigated by the police departments Internal Affairs division.