888-970-5729
1300+The family of Lawrence Harris, a 44-year-old Victorville man, has filed a federal lawsuit over his death in a January 2025 deputy-involved shooting. The suit alleges a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy used excessive force while Harris was in a mental health crisis.
The case shows how complicated fatal incidents involving law enforcement can be, and how much the evidence can shape what comes next.
What Happened at the Brentwood Home
The shooting happened on Friday, January 17, 2025, at a home in the 14800 block of Steeplechase Road in Victorville’s Brentwood community. Deputies responded around 5:40 p.m. to a call about a man with a gun.
Harris was struck by gunfire and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Two Accounts of the Encounter
What the Family’s Attorneys Say
According to the family’s attorneys, Harris was experiencing a mental health crisis when the deputy arrived. They say body camera footage shows Harris being shot in the back. The lawsuit claims he did not pose an immediate threat to anyone.
Attorneys Luis A. Carrillo, Michael S. Carrillo, and J. Miguel Flores of Carrillo Law Firm held a press event on October 23, 2026, in South Pasadena to discuss the video. The family also says it needed a court order to get the footage released after the county declined to make it public.
What the Sheriff’s Department Says
Sheriff’s officials said Harris was armed and refused commands to drop the gun. They said he continued up the stairs while the deputy did not know whether anyone else was upstairs. The department also said Harris threatened the deputy with the firearm.
Detectives later reported that Harris’s handgun had no magazine inserted, and that a loaded magazine was found in an upstairs bedroom. They also said that before deputies arrived, Harris held the gun to a second person’s head and pulled the trigger, but it did not fire.
The investigation has been submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review. These are allegations and official statements, and a court has not decided the claims.
Why Body Camera Footage Matters
Video can be some of the strongest evidence in a wrongful death case. It can show timing, commands, and distance in ways witness accounts often cannot.
Families can face delays and denials when they ask for footage. That is why preserving evidence early is so important.
Legal Options for Families After a Fatal Shooting
California law allows certain surviving family members, such as a spouse, domestic partner, and children, to file a wrongful death claim when someone dies because of another party’s wrongful act. Compensation may cover funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the loss of love, companionship, and guidance.
Cases involving public entities can come with special rules. Notice deadlines may be much shorter than the usual two years for injury claims, so families should speak with an attorney quickly.
Support for Victorville and High Desert Families
Losing a loved one is devastating, and no family should have to sort through the legal side alone. At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, our compassionate wrongful death lawyers offer free case evaluations to discuss your legal options while pursuing justice. Contact us today at (760) 389-1803.
For more local coverage, read our recent posts on a deputy-involved shooting on Seventh Street in Victorville and a fatal Victorville shooting that left a woman dead.
About the Author
JEFFREY FAYNGOR, ESQ.
Jeffrey Fayngor is the founder of Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer and an experienced personal injury attorney dedicated to representing accident victims. He earned his J.D. from Whittier College School of Law and has recovered over $120 million for injured clients. He has built his practice around helping injury victims protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.