A 77-year-old Yuma man was shot and killed by deputies Tuesday night after he reportedly fired a gun and refused to follow commands, according to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened around 7:22 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the 11300 block of South Avenue 12E. Deputies responded to reports of a disturbance involving a man with a firearm.

Witnesses said the man had been firing a gun outside his home and making suicidal comments.

When deputies arrived, they found the suspect, later identified as Lewis Berne, reportedly stepping in and out of the house while holding a handgun. Deputies gave him several verbal commands, but Berne allegedly did not comply.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Berne fired his weapon before deputies shot him.

“He did discharge the firearm while being

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