John Henry Cervantes

Deadly force

Cervantes argued with his girlfriend, Samantha Rivera. She called 911. He tore the phone out of the wall, ending the call before she could explain the situation. They began to strike one another. Officers Reynaldo Montes and Rachel Barnes responded. In one account, Officer Montes, who did not identify himself, shot Cervantes in the chest as Cervantes and Rivera stood silently in a bedroom. In another, Officer Montes, responding to screams still coming from inside the ruined residence, shot Cervantes once in the chest as he beat Rivera in the bedroom.