Family of Miami Gardens man shot by police demands justice

MIAMI – The family of a Miami Gardens man killed during an undercover operation claims law enforcement failed to follow protocol in the shooting 27-year-old Daniel Lewis.

Officers were searching for someone when Lewis allegedly came out of the house with a gun in his hand.

His family gathered outside Miami Gardens Police Headquarters because their message was directed at the Miami Gardens Police Department, saying there are many unanswered questions, according to attorneys.

Before making their statement, Daniel Lewis’ family and friends gathered with a picture of him to pray.

According to Lewis’ mother, her son was at his Miami Gardens home last Thursday when his sister jumped out of a car and ran into the house through the back door as police officers approached on the front lawn. Lewis got out, his family said, was shot five times and died.

His mother, Angela Lewis, said: “I watched my son take his last breath and that is the hardest thing a mother can ever do and all we want to know is why, why did this have to happen?”

Family attorney Ariel Lett asked, “Why did they follow Daniel’s family and friends in the first place? Why did the officers or agents not identify themselves as law enforcement officers, knowing that they had unmarked vehicles, that they were undercover and that it was pitch black?”

“Nobody could tell they were police officers,” Lett added.

According to the lawyers, Daniel Lewis had no previous criminal record. They said he had held a gun but had never fired it. They described him as a son, grandson and father of two children.

CBS News Miami has reached out to the Miami Gardens Police Department for comment on these allegations from Daniel’s family.

His family said they had not filed a lawsuit, but said: “All options are now on the table.”