MOJAVE, Calif. — The Kern County Coroner identified 39-year-old Mickel Erich Lewis Sr. as the man shot and killed by a Kern County Sheriff's deputy Friday night.
Officials say just after 9 p.m. Friday, a KCSO deputy conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle near K and Mono streets. During the traffic stop, the deputy and the driver, Lewis Sr., had a brief conversation before the deputy returned to his vehicle.
That's when KCSO said Lewis Sr. got out of his parked vehicle, fled on foot for a short distance before suddenly running back to his vehicle where it was originally stopped by the deputy and reached inside his vehicle. KCSO said Lewis Sr. then charged at the deputy and that's when officials say the shooting occurred.
Lewis Sr. died at the scene as a result of the shooting.
According to KCSO, a firearm was located at the scene. The deputy was not injured.
Three people were inside the driver's vehicle as well, which included one adult female and two juveniles.
Anyone with information on this incident please call KCSO at 861-3110.
