On May 4, 2023, 59-year-old Richard Lewis of Auburn, California, was fatally shot during a family dispute in the community of Martell, Amador County. Deputies responded at about 7:30 p.m. to reports of a family dispute and shots fired in the 10000 block of Highway 49. Lewis was found inside the home with a gunshot wound to the face and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 28-year-old man was initially detained at the scene and booked into the Amador County Jail on suspicion of killing Lewis. After reviewing the evidence, the Amador County District Attorney’s Office concluded the shooting was an act of self-defense and determined there was insufficient evidence to support a murder charge, so no charges were filed. Few public details about the dispute itself have been released.

If anyone has information about the incident or knew Richard Lewis, please share what you can with the Amador County Sheriff’s Office.