A deputy stopped a driver and had a brief conversation with them before returning to his patrol vehicle. During this time, the driver fled on foot a short distance before he reportedly returned to his vehicle and reached inside. The driver then allegedly charged at the deputy, and the deputy shot and killed him.
Killer: Jason Ayala
Agency: Kern County Sheriff's Office
Motive: Traffic violation
Confrontation Type: Traffic Stop
Service Call: No
Body Camera: No
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: Mickel Erich Lewis Sr.
Death Date: October 2, 2020
County: Kern
Geography: Rural
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Race: Unknown race
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Unclear
Weapon: undetermined
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: Foot
Washington Post Database ID: 6208