Los Angeles County, California – Former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Andrew Lyons has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of probation for the 2019 shooting death of Ryan Twyman, an unarmed Black man. The sentencing comes after Lyons pleaded no contest to assault charges in connection with the shooting, which occurred during a traffic stop in Willowbrook, California.
Lyons, 39, initially faced a more serious charge of voluntary manslaughter, but ultimately entered a plea agreement for one count of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm and felony assault under the color of authority. This decision was made by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter, who accepted the plea agreement and handed down the sentence.
The incident in question took place on June 6, 2019, when Lyons and another deputy fired a total of 34 shots at Twyman and his passenger, who were in a sedan at the time. The deputies had responded to a call to enforce a warrant for Twyman’s arrest for an alleged weapons violation. Despite the shooting, Twyman’s passenger was unharmed.
Following Lyons’ sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Kristopher Gay stated that both officers had fired fatal shots at Twyman. This revelation raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the actions taken by law enforcement during the traffic stop.
In response to the sentencing, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón emphasized the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. Gascón also referenced the settlement of a federal lawsuit brought by Twyman’s family against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which was resolved for $3.9 million in 2020.
The case against Lyons has sparked debate about police conduct and accountability, particularly in cases involving the use of deadly force. The sentencing of Lyons serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to address issues of police brutality and the need for transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.