DA Report Clears Concord Police Involved In Fatal Shooting

From the Office of the District Attorney:

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has issued a public report on a use of force incident in Concord that resulted in the shooting death of 47-year-old Nathan Lee Keesler on February 18th, 2025.

Whenever a law enforcement officer or a civilian is shot, killed, or dies during an encounter with members of a police agency in Contra Costa County, the District Attorney’s Office conducts its own independent investigation into law enforcement fatal incidents to determine if any officers or civilians are criminally liable for their actions. In instances where no criminal charges are filed, the District Attorney’s Office will publish a public report detailing the facts of what occurred and provide a legal analysis as to why criminal charges are not warranted.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “My pledge to the people of Contra Costa County has always been to prioritize public safety, transparency, and accountability. Our mission is to undertake a thorough investigation to determine criminal liability and then to communicate those findings in a clear and comprehensive public report.”

On February 18th, Concord Police Department Dispatch received a 911 call from the mother of Nthan Keesler reporting that her son was stabbing his father with a knife. Keesler’s mother further said that Keesler had a significant history of mental illness and was placed under a psychiatric hold in the past.

Officers arrived at the residence minutes after the 911 call. Upon entry, officers saw Keesler positioned on his knees, raising a knife, with his father pinned to the floor beneath him. Officers called out to “drop the knife,” however Keesler continued to thrust the knife in a downward mvement towards his father. At that point, one officer, who had the clearest line of sight, fired his service weapon multiple times. Keesler slumped to the ground while maintaining control of the knife in his hand. When an officer attempted to kick the knife away, Keesler tried to stab him in the leg. The officer was able to avoid the blade, retreat, and fire on Keesler. Other officers also fired at Keesler, who fell to the floor.

One of the officers then walked towards Keesler’s father to safely pull him away, prompting Nathan Keesler to push himself up and grab the kitchen knife, which was now located next to him. Officers yelled at Nathan to drop the knife, but he kept the knife in his hand and began to shift his legs, as if to get up. Multiple officers fired their handguns at Nathan Keesler, who fell back to the floor.

Emergency personnel pronounced Keesler dead at the scene of the incident. Medical personnel ealuated Keesler’s father, who suffered multiple cuts to his head and left bicep. In addition, Keesler’s father sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his posterior due to his close proximity to Nathan Keesler when the officers opened fire.

In its legal analysis, the District Attorney’s Office concluded that the officers acted in lawful selfdefense/defense-of-others and that their use of force was justified.

The District Attorney’s Office notified the Keesler family about the publication of this report. A copy of the report has also been sent to the Concord Police Department, the state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, and is available on the District Attorney’s website.