Mother Of Beloved East Bay Musician Shot By Deputies Files Wrongful-Death Lawsuit: Report

SAN LEANDRO, CA — The mother of a beloved 40-year-old East Bay musician has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Monday against Alameda County and several sheriff's employees involved in his shooting death earlier this year, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle.

The lawsuit accuses deputies of using excessive force and delaying medical aid after the shooting of Anthony "Ant" Anderson in February, according to the lawsuit, according to the report.

It also argues that deputies didn't plan for their encounter with Anderson, who was having a mental health crisis at the time, and instead escalated the situation when they shouted several commands while pointing a weapon at him, according to the report.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Patch.

Anderson was going through a mental health crisis in February when he called 911.

He asked to speak with police because he had a gun and wanted to go on a "killing rampage," the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said at the time.

Officers arrived at Anderson's house in the 16000 block of Selborne Drive and established a perimeter around the area. The 40-year-old at some point exited the home and pointed an object that resembled a gun at the deputies, according to authorities.

That's when at least two deputies fired at Anderson, killing him, authorities said. They did not say what object Anderson had been holding.

But his mother contends Anderson was not holding a gun, had not injured anyone or posed an immediate threat.

"He just was having problems with depression, and he was reaching out for help," his mother told Mercury News after his death. "And the help he got was to get killed."

Anderson struggled with depression for years, according to his obituary published on the East Bay Times.

"Anthony was both known, and loved, as a talented and nurturing East Bay trumpet player/performer/teacher, who brought both joy and “glory” to those who attended his concerts, and special “after-show Jam sessions," his obituary reads. "He performed with, and promoted, hundreds of gifted amateur and professional musicians at his weekly show at the “Starry Plough” in Berkeley, California."

The deputies accused of shooting Anderson, meanwhile, were placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with the sheriff's office policy, according to authorities.

The California Department of Justice, as per state law, whenever police shoot an unarmed civilian, is investigating the shooting.

Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.