In a heartbreaking case that shook California, a jury awarded $30.5 million to the family of Mickel Lewis Sr., an unarmed Black father who was shot five times—twice in the back—by a Kern County sheriff’s deputy. The decision, one of the largest verdicts in the state’s history for a police shooting, came after years of pain, legal battles, and a relentless fight for justice.
The Night That Changed Everything
On October 2, 2020, Mickel Lewis Sr., a 39-year-old father of seven, was pulled over by Deputy Jason Ayala during a traffic stop. At first, Lewis cooperated. He was searched, and no weapons were found on him. Things took a deadly turn when the deputy decided to search his car.
Lewis, for reasons unknown, tried to walk away but quickly turned back, seemingly to grab his car keys. In those few chaotic moments, Deputy Ayala fired five shots. Two hit Lewis in the back. He never got the chance to explain himself.
Deputy Ayala later claimed he thought Lewis was reaching for a gun under the car seat. But the evidence told a different story.
The Fight for the Truth
Lewis’s family refused to accept the official story. Eyewitnesses and forensic experts stepped in, and the truth unraveled.
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No weapon was found.
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Witnesses saw Lewis’s hands—empty and visible.
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The gunshots in his back raised serious doubts about the officer’s claim.
“He never saw a gun. He never saw a hand reaching for a gun. And yet, he pulled the trigger five times,” said the family’s attorney, Bernard Alexander.
The case exposed what many have long feared—police officers using deadly force when it’s not necessary, especially against Black men.
The Jury’s Decision: A Historic $30.5 Million Verdict
After reviewing the evidence, the jury reached a clear conclusion: Deputy Ayala’s actions were not justified. They found him guilty of using excessive and unreasonable force.
The compensation breakdown:
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$5 million for Lewis’s lost life
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$1 million for the suffering he endured before dying
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$24.5 million for his seven children, who will grow up without their father
Dale K. Galipo, another attorney for the family, said, “This verdict doesn’t bring Mickel back, but it sends a message that law enforcement has to be held accountable.”
A Family Left to Pick Up the Pieces
For Lewis’s children, no amount of money can fill the hole left by their father’s absence.
“My dad was my world. He would do anything to help someone, no matter what,” said Mickel Lewis Jr. His sister, Briona, added, “He had seven kids, and he loved each of us deeply. Now, we just have memories.”
Their pain is immeasurable, but this verdict is a step toward justice.
A Pattern of Deadly Force and Million-Dollar Settlements
This case is part of a larger trend of police shootings in California that end with massive payouts—but no real change.
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2018: A jury awarded $33.5 million to the parents of Nathanael Pickett, a 29-year-old unarmed man shot by a San Bernardino County deputy.
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2024: Los Angeles County settled for $25 million after deputies shot Isaias Cervantes, a deaf and autistic man, paralyzing him in his own home.
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2024: Vallejo agreed to pay $5 million to the family of Willie McCoy, a 20-year-old who was shot 55 times by police while sleeping in his car.
The message is clear—police departments are willing to pay millions, but lives are still being lost.
What Comes Next?
The Lewis family hopes their case sparks real change. They want stricter policies on the use of deadly force and better training for officers. Most importantly, they want people to remember Mickel’s name—not just as a victim but as a father, a brother, and a son.
This verdict is justice for Mickel Lewis Sr. But for his family, it’s not enough. The pain of losing him will never go away.