CLEARLAKE – A woman whose father was shot to death by a Clearlake Police officer in June has filed a claim for $30 million against the city of Clearlake.

Shavon Vestal, 27, of Clearlake filed the claim in the matter of the death of her father, David Vestal, who was shot to death on June 30 at York's Trailer Park on Old Highway 53.

Clearlake Police said David Vestal had brandished a shotgun at officers, resulting in the fatal shooting, as Lake County News has reported.

Attorney Don Anderson filed the claim against the city on behalf of Shavon Vestal, who is still being held in the Lake County Jail on several charges, including battery, vandalism, causing harm to an elder or dependent, a probation violation and a bench warrant, according to jail records. Also named as filed on the document are her young son and her boyfriend, Sean Bremer.

Shavon Vestal's claim specifically seeks $20 million for herself, and $5 million each for her son and boyfriend.

The Clearlake City Council will consider the claim at its meeting Thursday night. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

City Administrator Dale Neiman's report to the council recommends the claim be rejected.

Anderson told Lake County News that he anticipated the council would reject the claim. However, if the family chooses to file a lawsuit against the city in state court, they have to go through the claims process.

Lt. Mike Hermann of the Clearlake Police Department said the agency wouldn't offer a comment on the claim.

As to the case itself, he said the officer-involved shooting is still being investigated by the District Attorney's Office. The Clearlake Police doesn't plan to release any additional information on the case until the District Attorney's Office makes its finding.

Although it's not 100-percent certain yet, Anderson said he thinks the family likely will pursue a lawsuit over the shooting. His office also is conducting its own investigation into the case, and is waiting for the district attorney's report as well.

Anderson said Shavon Vestal's young son witnessed the shooting, and was standing so close to his grandfather when he was killed that he had blood on him.

Clearlake Police, who reportedly went to the trailer park on the report of a fight, stated that David Vestal had come out of his home carrying a shotgun. Anderson said his investigation disputes that statement.

“We have three witnesses who will swear that the deceased never had a firearm on him,” Anderson said.

Anderson said he believes, based on his investigation, that several things were done contrary to police procedures in the Vestal case.

He's not sure why David Vestal wasn't tasered, although Bremer was.

The law firm of Carter and Carter is representing Shavon Vestal, who remains in jail.

Attorney Angela Carter said Shavon Vestal's criminal matters have been settled pending sentencing. She faces a maximum of three years, eight months in prison for the charges.

The settlement, Carter said, involved a dismissal of all charges stemming from the night her father died.

Carter said the law firm arranged for Vestal's release for her father's funeral, and also persuaded the court to release her for a second time in order to handle some other family matters.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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