Police identify man shot, killed by officer Friday night, provide additional details

Nathan Banks

By Lieutenant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Division

The following is additional information that has been confirmed since the last press release.

At approximately 11:30 pm on Friday, June 16, 2017, an Antioch Police Department patrol officer made contact with a female subject and a male subject who were sitting inside a vehicle that was parked in the 2300 block of Manzanita Way. The male subject was identified as 37-year-old Nathan Banks of Antioch.

During the contact, the patrol officer noticed that Banks was in possession of a handgun. The officer ordered Banks to remain in the vehicle. However, Banks exited the vehicle and fled on foot carrying the handgun in his hand. The officer pursued Banks on foot and caught him near the porch of a nearby residence. During a confrontation with Banks the officer was forced to fire his duty weapon in defense of his own life. Banks was struck three times by the officer’s gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. Banks was found to be in possession of an illegally possessed firearm.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.


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Nathan Banks


13 Comments to “Police identify man shot, killed by officer Friday night, provide additional details”

  1. Skip says:

    If the APD wore body cams, we would have a better idea of whether or not this was justified. I think that it’s very weird that they won’t provide more details. Was a gun ever found? where exactly was he shot, if he was running away did they shoot him in the back?

    • Snid says:

      The article says; “Banks was found to be in possession of an illegally possessed firearm”.

      • Skip says:

        The article is extremely careful about whart it says and does not say. He took the gun with him but could have tossed it while running and still have been guilty of possession. What i want to know is whether the gun was on him when he was shot, the type of gun and why the officer needed to use deadly force when he was running away instead of engaging in confrontation.

        • Peggy says:

          Yes. The article is extremely careful about what it says and doesn’t. Like Skip and Snid – if there was evidence of a gun — where was the gun after kid was shot in pursuit? A gun dumped somehow – here in between car approached with female driver Jennifer and passenger Nathan . Like Skip Says – was the gun on the vctim fired or not?

  2. R says:

    I do think it’s terrible that a man has lost his life. I feel very strongly that all policemen should be able to go home after there shift. If I’m pulled over and told to stay in my car, that is what I’m supposed to do. If I have a gun on me I need to let the officer know. If you have a gun and don’t drop it, legally . I just don’t have the answers. I just listen to the officers and follow the rules.

  3. Marty Fernandez says:

    If the officer says do something you do it. That is the law.

  4. Sherra Hammers says:

    Someone’s parents didn’t do thier job in teaching thier kid to obey the police officer. Honest men don’t run. I feel sorry for the officer. How scary!

    • Peggy says:

      Let’s not blame the parents. There is enough pain to go around on the loss of life – any life. Why not avoid crucifying the parents or an other family — if you have it in your heat.

      • Just a thought says:

        Oh, I’m sorry it starts at home – the parents who are losers raise loser children. Period. I have a neighbor, the three adults living in the house speak horribly to their children – “get your “axx” in this house” horrible. I’m sorry, they are not going to fit into society – you have to make your children aware about fitting into the norm. I’m sure missed on this guy.

      • Sherra Hammers says:

        Nope sorry. My child knows better. It starts with parents and disciplining. You bet I am going to start there!! Some people start at the poor police officers. Hogwash!

  5. Rjb says:

    Police shouldn’t have guns because they have radios and bullet proof vests. Only criminals should be allowed to carry guns. If a criminal is killing someone police should just give them a hug.

  6. Sad Realizations says:

    There is huge concern and outrage from the community regarding this murder. Where is the body cam yes please produce this from the pull over to the end. Why is it not being produced because Nathan was NOT asked to stay in the vehicle due to him having a weapon visibly out in the open. The actual of the incident is Mr. mortimer asked Nathan to step out of the vehicle, the two are well acquainted through the past years. When someone or myself gets pulled over with warrants or probation it is proper protocol to request that the person step out of the vehicle in order to search the person under warrant or probation. Nate refused to get out of the vehicle, Mr. Mortimer then hit Nathan with his flashlight in order to intimidate Nathan from the vehicle, with that Nathan then flees the vehicle for his life knowing Mortimers trigger happy past and if im not mistaking wasnt this Mortimers first few days back on duty after relief from duty for shooting another individual. They cannot say wether a gun was brandished because a handgun was not on Nathan at all, or in his vehicle, and Mortimer is the one with a vest on, so with Nathan not having a gun what could Nathan really have possibly done on the front porch of someones home weaponless. All Nathan had was his words why it mentoons confrontation prior to Mortimer Murdering behind his badge. Nathans words were sharp and slick as well as knowledgeable. Again him amd Mortimer had a past and knew each other. Mortimer in the end didnt like what was said so then in return decided he would do as he has done a few times before and pull the trigger 4x. If im not mistaken when it comes to homicide and murder cases etc. doesnt a murder that amounts to one done out of anger define by shots being fired multiple times into the other person. There was only one shooter Mortimer. Nathan had no weapon why he made sure if Mortimer was going to do as he has done before it will be on someones front porch so they know he in fact had no weapon and Mortimer will finally be noted for the murderer he is. Next question the fiance of Nathan. Did anyone look at her facebook. Why 2 days prior is she speaking of going on a date with a cop, then posts that she “informed her date of what he would be up against” then that her date gave her “strong words” in relation to this. Then there is a post of her in front of the Antiich Police Station. Also, why the hell was Michael Mortimer acting as police sergeant after this on June 20, for a 34 year old man found in the street with multiple gun shot wounds off of Putnam 4 days after murdering Nate. He should be on leave due to pending investigation. Right????????

  7. Concerned with Confussion says:

    Sad Realization brings up GREAT points- why was officer Mortimer back on the streets just days later? With the past that Nathan had and this “seasoned” officer – this made Nathan an easy target and little questions to be asked by the public about Officer Mortimers actions that night. I sure hope justice is served in a thorough investigation of this horrific event.

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