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Banta Family Files $15 Million Wrongful Death Suit

The suit claims that the 22-year-old hairdresser was no threat to Walnut Creek police when they shot him on Dec. 27.

The family of . has filed a $15 million lawsuit against the four Walnut Creek police officers who shot the 22-year-old man to death on Dec. 27, according to the Contra Costa Times

The suit alleges that officers arrived at 3:15 a.m. to the Creekside Drive apartment complex, responding to a 9-1-1 call from Banta's roommate's girlfriend. When officers entered the apartment, one saw Banta at the top of the stairs and backed up, causing the other officers to trip, which caused them to panic and begin shooting at Banta. 

Police say that Banta was at the top of the stairs when they arrived, brandishing a 10-inch knife. When they ordered him to drop it, he charged at them and they fired.

The incident is still being investigated. 

CT- West January 29, 2013 at 01:13 pm
10" knife. He sure wasn't cutting up lettuce.
KAC January 29, 2013 at 01:39 pm
I would like to hear what the roommate and girlfriend say since they were there.
SR January 29, 2013 at 03:06 pm
Of course. The great healer of the loss of a family member-the almighty dollar. So let me get this straight: crazed man tries to kill his roommate and girlfriend with a knife. Said roommate and girlfriend are forced to lock themselves in their room and call the police. The police respond to the call for help and hear the struggle in the background. Officers are met by crazed man armed with knife. Officers risk their own lives to protect two strangers and are forced to stop guy from stabbing them by shooting. Family decides responsibly rests solely with heroic officers and demands 15 million dollars. Only in America.
HarleyFlanagan January 29, 2013 at 06:23 pm
SR, well said, couldn't agree more. The downfall of this country is in part due to lawyers and the greed that eats people's souls. No matter how justified, a city will frequently settle because its cheaper than going to court and hiring legal representation etc. Money grubbing scum know this and play the system well, because as you said, only in America. This once great country filled with hardworking Americans has become a cesspool of lazy, low class, criminalistic system manipulators.
Walnut Creek January 30, 2013 at 11:24 pm
SR you've got it pretty much spot on. I know that all 3 are good people because I know one of the people who were in that apartment that night. Something snapped in Anthony that night and only Anthony knows the cause. Hopefully the toxicology report comes out soon, although he wasn't known to be a regular drug user. Only the 2 roommates know what happened before the police arrived and only the cops know what happened on the other side of the bedroom door once they arrived. The parents/family only know what the police told them and the police need to cover their asses with whatever story they've reported. It's a sad situation all around but the people who know Anthony say he wouldn't have wanted a lawsuit.
Johnson February 4, 2013 at 03:25 pm
It says the police tripped and panicked and then started shooting. That's sounds like wrongful death if you ask me.You can't kill people without consequences. That young man can not bebrought back to life. Maybe the policemen involved or their supervisors will receive better training before pulling the trigger when it's not eminent danger.
Pikgitar February 15, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Those witnesses have been under the control of the cops. Need I say anything more?
I have been posting that for months now. This whole thing is a cover up by the cops.
Pikgitar February 15, 2013 at 06:16 pm
I find you disgusting. What do you fear? That there might be something being hidden from the public?
And it is a great healer when the truth, not what the cops side is, comes out. Sometimes it takes a law suit to bring out the truth and expose the lies of the cops. I can show you hundreds of cases like this that turn out to be negotiated behind closed doors just so the truth about how cops are blatant liars won't become public.
Pikgitar February 15, 2013 at 06:20 pm
You are also a PoS like the one you agree with. Believe what you wish but there are good reasons to file civil suit.
Pikgitar February 15, 2013 at 06:21 pm
Personally I DO NOT believe anything the cops have said.
KAC February 15, 2013 at 06:36 pm
Has anyone other than the police talked to the roommate or girlfriend? Or is there some type of gag order due to the lawsuit? It seems like the press would be all over this trying to get an interview.
c5 February 15, 2013 at 06:47 pm
So you read the article describing the suit and automatically take it as the truth? Wow, no wonder we have so many lawsuits in this country..you can sue for any reason whatsoever. Personally I will withold judgement until such time as I have some semblance of knowledge of what really went on that night. Until such time I will continue to listen to lots of people take as truth things they read in the press that may or may not have any resemblance to the facts.
Patcher April 10, 2013 at 12:13 am
I can't find any articles related to the final toxicology. Anyone know or hear about the results?

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