LOS ANGELES, Calif. (AP) — Former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Andrew Lyons has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of probation for the shooting death of Ryan Twyman, an unarmed Black man, in 2019.
38-year-old Lyons pleaded no contest to one count of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm and felony assault under the color of authority. The sentencing was announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
The incident occurred when Lyons and another deputy responded to a call to enforce a warrant for Twyman’s arrest. Twyman was in a sedan that was stopped in the parking area of an apartment complex in Willowbrook, Calif. When Twyman put the car in reverse, the deputies fired at him. After the vehicle stopped moving, Lyons retrieved a semiautomatic rifle and fired at Twyman. A total of 34 shots were fired by the police officers, leaving Twyman dead and his passenger unharmed.
Lyons’ attorneys claimed the case against him was politically motivated. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department investigated the matter and fired Lyons in 2021. He was charged in March 2022. Additionally, Twyman’s family had previously filed a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which was settled for $3.9 million in 2020.
Gascón stated that “justice has been served for Mr. Twyman’s family who have spent years mourning the loss of their loved one.” This case reflects the unwavering commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their profession, is held accountable for their actions.