Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Modesto Officer Charged with Fatally Shooting Unarmed Man
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
March 19, 2021

Share

A Central Valley police officer accused of fatally shooting of an unarmed man was fired from his job, arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter Thursday.

Prosecutors announced the charge against Joseph Lamantia after an investigation into Trevor Seever’s death concluded that the officer’s conduct and use of deadly force violated the Modesto Police Department’s policy, procedures and training.

Seever was killed by Lamantia on Dec. 29 after police received a 911 call from a woman saying that her brother told their family he bought a gun and was “walking over here just to watch what happens to us.” At the time, police had circulated a bulletin about Seever after he posted threats against Modesto police officers on social media.

Body Camera Footage Shows Incident

Body camera video shows Lamantia getting out of his car and running towards Seever near a Modesto church. The officer is seen firing several shots at Seever in broad daylight even after the 29-year-old man complied with his commands to put his hands up.

Police later determined Seever did not have a gun.

Seever’s sister later told KCRA-TV the shooting was not justified and that she had called police to de-escalate a tense situation with her brother.

“The death of Trevor Seever is a tragedy for his family, friends, and our community,” interim Police Chief Brandon Gillespie said in a statement. “The men and women of the Modesto Police Department work hard every day to build and maintain positive relationships. I understand Officer Lamantia’s actions have set us back. Our department is dedicated to serving the public and committed to rebuilding any trust we have lost.”

Former Officer Pleads Not Guilty

Lamantia pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance Thursday. A judge ordered him to remain in custody and set his bail at $100,000.

The voluntary manslaughter count carries a penalty of three to 11 years in state prison if convicted, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s office said.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

DON'T MISS

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

DON'T MISS

Biden EPA to Charge First-Ever ‘Methane Fee’ for Emissions Waste by Oil and Gas Companies

DON'T MISS

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

DON'T MISS

At the Pandemic’s Start, Americans Began Drinking More. They Still Are.

DON'T MISS

Last GOP Congressman Anchored in Democratic LA County Concedes in Race Against Former NASA Exec

DON'T MISS

Aid Groups Say Israel Misses US Deadline to Boost Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza

DON'T MISS

Speaker Mike Johnson Says Republicans Are ‘Ready to Deliver’ on Trump’s Agenda

DON'T MISS

Wall Street Slips as the Trump Trade Cools

DON'T MISS

49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan Says Players’ Sideline Spat Has Been ‘Squashed’

UP NEXT

When to Catch the Last Supermoon of the Year

UP NEXT

Mattel Says It ‘Deeply’ Regrets Misprint on ‘Wicked’ Dolls Packaging That Links to Porn Site

UP NEXT

4B Movement: After the Election, a Call for Women to Swear Off Men

UP NEXT

FBI Thwarts Iranian Murder-for-Hire Plan Targeting Donald Trump

UP NEXT

Wave of Racist Texts After Election Prompts FBI Scrutiny

UP NEXT

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

UP NEXT

Visalia Rollerblader Suffered Major Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Indicted for Possessing Stolen Guns

UP NEXT

On Elon Musk’s X, Dems Are an Endangered Species While GOP Goes Viral

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

45 mins ago

At the Pandemic’s Start, Americans Began Drinking More. They Still Are.

1 hour ago

Last GOP Congressman Anchored in Democratic LA County Concedes in Race Against Former NASA Exec

1 hour ago

Aid Groups Say Israel Misses US Deadline to Boost Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza

2 hours ago

Speaker Mike Johnson Says Republicans Are ‘Ready to Deliver’ on Trump’s Agenda

2 hours ago

Wall Street Slips as the Trump Trade Cools

2 hours ago

49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan Says Players’ Sideline Spat Has Been ‘Squashed’

2 hours ago

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Will Have Season-Ending Surgery on Torn Hamstring

2 hours ago

Judge Delays Ruling on Whether to Scrap Trump’s Conviction in Hush Money Case

2 hours ago

Songwriters Hall of Fame Unveils Star-Studded 2025 Nominees, From Eminem to Janet Jackson

2 hours ago

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

A landmark from days of old when Merced was known as “Fountain City” is back, fully restored for new generations to appreciate. ...

31 mins ago

31 mins ago

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

36 mins ago

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious About Deportations, Look at His First Appointments

43 mins ago

Biden EPA to Charge First-Ever ‘Methane Fee’ for Emissions Waste by Oil and Gas Companies

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump talks with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee during a roundtable at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Drexel Hill, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
45 mins ago

Trump Picks Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to Be Ambassador to Israel

1 hour ago

At the Pandemic’s Start, Americans Began Drinking More. They Still Are.

1 hour ago

Last GOP Congressman Anchored in Democratic LA County Concedes in Race Against Former NASA Exec

2 hours ago

Aid Groups Say Israel Misses US Deadline to Boost Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza

2 hours ago

Speaker Mike Johnson Says Republicans Are ‘Ready to Deliver’ on Trump’s Agenda

Search

Send this to a friend