CLEARLAKE — A lawsuit was filed by Attorney Don Anderson on behalf of Shavon Vestal, Jadin Vestal and Sean Bremer in relation to the June 30 officer-involved shooting death of David Vestal. Total amount sought in the suit is $30 million.
“In my 30 yeas of service in this litigious society, it is not unusual to see civil law suits filed in these types of cases,” said Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain, “If people would just be patient and wait for the DA to complete their case then the answers to the questions that people are speculating on now will be revealed.”
David Vestal was shot and killed by a Clearlake Police officer following officers” response to what was reported as a physical disturbance at York”s Trailer Park on Old Highway 53. Officers were dispatched around 9:33 p.m. June 30. Dispatch had advised that the disturbance reportedly involved a fight in which a female was being assaulted with possible weapons involved.
“Officers were originally sent there on a disturbance,” McClain said. “There was some type of physical fight there at the trailer.”
Upon officers” arrival, they were allegedly confronted by a white male adult with a shotgun. Chief McClain had reported that one of the officers had fired his weapon resulting in David Vestal”s death. He had been pronounced dead on the scene. Investigation into the incident continues and included and/or includes the involvement of the Department of Justice, the Lake County District Attorney”s Office and Clearlake Police administration.
“The case is still under investigation by the District Attorney”s Office. The information that we have at this point indicates that the officers handled themselves appropriately according to the legal standards and departmental policies we have in place,” McClain reporter earlier this week. “We will not make a final determination until we have seen the completed investigation by the DA”s office.”
Shavon Vestal is seeking $20 million while $5 million apiece is being sought on behalf of Jadin Vestal and Bremer. In the claim, Anderson alleges that unknown members of the Clearlake Police Department unjustifiably and without provocation shot and killed David Vestal, father of claimant Shavon Vestal and grandfather of Jadin Vestal.
The claim further states that the incident occurred in the immediate present (sic) of Shavon Vestal and Jadin Vestal who witnessed the death of their close and immediate family member.
The claim alleges that Bremer was assaulted by a member of the Clearlake Police and thereafter, falsely arrested and falsely imprisoned. It also alleges that Shavon Vestal was assaulted by a member of the police department as well and thereafter, falsely detained and arrested and falsely imprisoned in a locked room for about six hours before being released.
According to McClain, Shavon Vestal had been arrested the evening of the incident on a no bail warrant issued by the county. Charges listed on Shavon Vestal”s booking detail that evening included felony charges for abuse of elder or dependent adult, vandalism, misdemeanor bench warrant and felony probation violation.
Bremer, McClain said, had been arrested for obstruction. “He was arrested because he interfered with officers and he had to be tassered to be controlled,” McClain reported.
Injuries are described in the claim as wrongful death of father and grandfather, severe emotional distress, assault and battery, violation of civil rights, false imprisonment and physical injuries.
The city”s insurance firm, PARSAC, has retained an attorney who specializes in these types of incidents to represent the city in the case.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
