Antioch Settles Excessive Force Lawsuit

The city of Antioch last week agreed to pay $29,000 to settle a federal lawsuit brought by an Antioch resident who says he was beaten by police.

According to his complaint, Vance Gattis was riding in a car that was pulled over on Contra Loma Boulevard by Antioch police in April 2019. Officer Morteza Amiri forced Gattis out of the car, placed him in a chokehold and punched him in the face, while officer James Colley tazed him and hit him with his flashlight, according to the complaint. Amiri also released a police dog on Gattis, who mauled his arms, check and neck. Gattis suffered bleeding in his brain, a spinal cord injury and lacerations, according to the complaint.

Gattis claimed the officers had no reasonable suspicion that he had committed a crime and profiled him because he is African-American. He was represented by Oakland attorney John Burris, who has represented other plaintiffs in excessive force complaints against the city.

The Antioch City Council voted unanimously to settle the case during its November 24 meeting.