Law enforcement officials Monday identified Shannon Edward Estill, 58, as the man who was shot and killed by a Pleasanton police officer after allegedly pointing a replica handgun at police during a family dispute on Burgundy Drive on Saturday morning.
Keith Batt, a 17-year veteran with the Pleasanton Police Department, is the officer who shot Estill, according to Lt. Maria Munayer. The officers involved in the shooting are no longer on paid administrative leave and were expected to return to work this week.
"I extend my sympathy to the Estill family as any loss of life is tragic," Pleasanton police chief Dave Spiller said in a statement Monday. "I would also like to extend my support to our involved officers, their families and the members of the Pleasanton Police Department."
Pleasanton police released additional details about the incident Monday, which began at 11:36 a.m. Saturday when they received a 9-1-1 call from Estill's wife reporting that he was acting erratically, according to Munayer.
Fearing for their safety, Estill's wife and daughter locked themselves in an upstairs bedroom and the wife told police that Estill was in the garage where he had access to firearms, Munayer said.
When officers arrived, they approached the side yard where they could hear a person who they believed to be Estill, the lieutenant said. Police opened the side yard gate and directed him to come out to no avail.
While approaching the open side door to the garage, officers heard what sounded like a round being chambered into a shotgun, and one officer reported seeing the barrel of a shotgun pointed in his direction, Munayer said.
Officers immediately moved to the front of the residence in response. Estill then opened the garage door and advanced down the driveway while pointing at police with what was later identified as a replica handgun, according to Munayer.
The lieutenant alleged Estill ignored police commands to drop the apparent firearm, leading Batt to fire his weapon. Police declined to confirm the number of shots fired or how many times Estill was hit.
Estill died at the scene. His wife and daughter, who remained in the upstairs bedroom during the incident, were uninjured. No officers or witnesses were hurt during the situation, Munayer said.
Estill did not fire any weapons at officers. Multiple firearms, including pistols, rifles and a shotgun, were recovered from the home, according to Munayer.
Pleasanton police are working with the Alameda County Crime Lab on the investigation, and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is conducting a separate investigation of the fatal officer-involved shooting, as is protocol, Munayer said.
All of the officers involved were wearing and had activated their body-worn cameras, which are being reviewed as part of the investigation, according to Munayer. Footage from the cameras, as well as audio of the 911 call will not be released at this time.
"It's considered evidence that still needs to be examined," Munayer said.
Munayer declined to comment on whether police had had prior interactions with Estill "to respect the privacy of the family."
Saturday's incident marks Pleasanton's second fatal officer-involved shooting in less than two years.
San Jose resident John Deming Jr. was shot and killed by Officer Daniel Kunkel in the early-morning hours of July 5, 2015 during an altercation after the 19-year-old man reportedly tried to flee from police who were responding to a burglar alarm and found him acting erratically inside the Specialty Sales Classics car dealership on First Street.
The DA's Office cleared Kunkel of criminal charges, deeming the officer acted in lawful self-defense. Deming's family has sued the city and police department for wrongful death. The civil case is still pending.
Prior to that, Pleasanton police hadn't had an officer-involved shooting of any kind since 2005 -- the department's last fatal officer-involved shooting was 2000.
Comments
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on May 22, 2017 at 6:59 pm
on May 22, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Sad for the family and the officer. My prayers go out to both
Pleasanton Meadows
on May 22, 2017 at 7:24 pm
on May 22, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Suicide by cop?
Pleasanton Meadows
on May 22, 2017 at 8:55 pm
on May 22, 2017 at 8:55 pm
Very sad.
Hopefully those that question the integrity and service of our police department will now also support them now.
Avila
on May 22, 2017 at 9:16 pm
on May 22, 2017 at 9:16 pm
The cruds who immediately vilified the police without knowing the details can go crawl back under their dark dank rocks now.
thoughts and prayers to all involved.
Amador Estates
on May 22, 2017 at 9:42 pm
on May 22, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Yes, raven, suicide by cop:
Web Link
Registered user
Vineyard Hills
on May 23, 2017 at 9:28 am
Registered user
on May 23, 2017 at 9:28 am
It is extremely sad, if it really is a case of suicide by cop. May his family find peace and comfort in this community that cares.
Always thankful to the police force - can't imagine what it's like to have your life threatened in your line of work on a regular basis.
Pleasanton Valley
on May 23, 2017 at 9:52 am
on May 23, 2017 at 9:52 am
The most unwanted and sad outcome for the family and the Police Officer. Police Officers I know and have known are not looking to shoot their weapons and kill someone. The aftermath is terrible for all. Those who judge most likely never walked in an officer's shoes. Only those at the scene, as it all went down, know what happened. I support Pleasanton Police and Officer Batt. I am saddened for the family who will need to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Likewise, Officer Batt and the PPD will also need to do this.
Castlewood
on May 23, 2017 at 9:56 am
on May 23, 2017 at 9:56 am
It's a tragedy all the way around. Too bad for the deceased person's family and very unfortunate for the policeman who was put in this position. It's a reminder how much danger and uncertainty there is in being a policeman. Perhaps we should remember this when so many are so anxious to jump on the black lives matter bandwagon. Being a cop is a challenging job.
Pleasanton Heights
on May 23, 2017 at 10:02 am
on May 23, 2017 at 10:02 am
Very sorry for all the families involved. I wish police had access to some type of reliable non-lethal alternative. I don't believe there is anything on the market that I would trust in a handgun situation like this. But this is probably a man who would have looked back at this outburst in a few hours, and wouldn't have recognized himself. Terrible waste.
Sycamore Heights
on May 23, 2017 at 10:13 am
on May 23, 2017 at 10:13 am
We live in a challenging world today, we must have boundaries placed in life in order to attain respect and integrity for all society but also protection of life. I feel our Police Department deserves our highest regard and respect as they risk their lives to protect each citizen within a community. You must ask yourself what if I were faced with a situation of life and death and only seconds to respond ...time is critical you must react to protect yourself. I feel it is time for those who complain to ride with a police officer not just one day but a week and experience what it is like in our world today...you may find yourself viewing things in favor of our dedicated police. It is a thankless job...today I salute and thank each officer who serves with integrity and honesty, those who truly care about life, about you and I. Robin
Country Fair
on May 23, 2017 at 10:42 am
on May 23, 2017 at 10:42 am
Was it a weapon or a toy? I am glad there is video.
A good man, our neighbor, a loving father, and husband, was killed. The officers followed their training and it lead to an unnecessary death, change the training. A cops life is not more valuable than a good civilian in crisis. To those of you thanking the police for killing this man, there is no villain but also no hero here, you give therm permission to kill anyone.
PP, You do not decide what I think or say.
Police use new training tactics to avoid deadly shootings
Web Link
Pleasanton Heights
on May 23, 2017 at 11:24 am
on May 23, 2017 at 11:24 am
Mike is using IP switching to like his own post multiple times. [removed]
Pleasanton Heights
on May 23, 2017 at 11:39 am
on May 23, 2017 at 11:39 am
The Pleasanton Weekly is still vilifying the police by writing "The lieutenant alleged Estill ignored police commands to drop the apparent firearm." Alleged? Really?
Police are trained to stop a threat by shooting to kill. That's the way it should be. Sounds like they gave the perp every reasonable opportunity. Cops lives matter. Sorry the officer has to live with this but it's a tough job.
Downtown
on May 23, 2017 at 11:42 am
on May 23, 2017 at 11:42 am
@Mike -- "A cops life is not more valuable than a good civilian in crisis." Bull****! No "good civilian" would EVER point a weapon or a toy at a cop and deserve to be called a good person. I don't care if it was a plastic water gun, if it looks like a gun that "good civilian" just signed his own death warrant. The life of ANY cop is worth exponentially more than the life of any person who would point a weapon at a cop.
Good for officer Batt. May he get through this crisis quickly and be back out there defending our lives. Well, maybe Mike should just defend himself.
Country Fair
on May 23, 2017 at 11:56 am
on May 23, 2017 at 11:56 am
Hitler also believed the State should not be questioned and people with mental illness should be executed. Many Pleasanton community members have given testimony to the fact that this was a good man. For some reason he was in a mental state that left him unable to act rationally. As the officer in this video states officers should be trained to deal with citizens in need.
Police use new training tactics to avoid deadly shootings: Web Link
Registered user
Downtown
on May 23, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Registered user
on May 23, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Because this thread went way off topic and was reduced to name-calling, it has been closed.