Coroner Jury Rules Walnut Creek Officer-Involved Shooting Was Accidential

After a day of emotional testimony, a Contra Costa County Coroner's jury ruled that the shooting last December of a Walnut Creek hairdresser was an accident.

Four officers testified at Monday's inquest about the early morning hours of Dec. 27, when they were called to an apartment to investigate reports of a domestic disturbance.

The officers said 22-year-old Anthony Banta was at the top of a staircase, brandishing a 10-inch knife with a crazed look in his eye, according to a story in the Contra Costa Times.

Capt. Michael Sugrue said he was "scared for his life" and had no choice but to shoot Banta, the Times reported.

All four officers fired shots after they said Banta jumped from the staircase and landed near their feet, the Times reported.

Banta's family has said they don't know why Banta erupted into rage that night and attacked his roommate. The roommate's girlfriend was the person who called 9-1-1.

The coroner's jury had four options from which to choose -- accident, suicide, natural causes or at the hands of another person (other than accident).

In late January, Banta's family filed a $15 million wrongful death lawsuit against the four officers involved.