Jovance Lewis, 38, of Sacramento was shot and killed on June 16, 2017, at the corner of 42nd Street and 23rd Avenue after intervening to protect two women from gunfire. According to witnesses and family, the confrontation began when Lewis argued with one of two 15-year-old boys; that teen left, then returned with another armed 15-year-old. What began as a fistfight escalated to gunfire. Two other men, ages 47 and 35, were wounded and survived. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office arrested the two teenage suspects soon after the shooting.

Lewis was a father of four, aged 5 to 13, and coached his youngest child’s football team. Family members described him as someone who did not seek trouble and who stepped in to prevent it. The case highlighted community concerns about youth-involved gun violence and the toll on surviving family members.

Does anyone have information about the events that night or knew Jovance and his work with local youth?