Man sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting OKCPD officer

An Oklahoma City man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after shooting a police officer who was responding to a domestic disturbance call in 2021.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An Oklahoma City man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after shooting a police officer who was responding to a domestic disturbance call in 2021.

According to Oklahoma City Police, officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance at home near NE 50th and MLK on January 23, 2021.

When OKCPD officer Braden Downs arrived at the residence, 67-year-old Joel Lewis was standing at the doorway. Lewis then pulled out a pistol and shot Downs in the chest and left hand at point-blank range.

Downs' bulletproof vest stopped the round from hitting his chest, leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries.

Downs returned fire after being shot, hitting Lewis twice in the lower body. Lewis was also taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

On January 19, 2022, Lewis entered a blind plea after being charged with shooting with intent to kill in an Oklahoma County district court. He was sentenced to six years in prison with credit for time already served.

A federal grand jury then charged Lewis for being a drug user in possession of a firearm on August 1, 2023. Lewis pleaded guilty on October 23, 2023, admitting to using marijuana without a medical card while owning guns at the same time.

Lewis was sentenced in federal court on Monday, July 8, to the statutory maximum of 120 months in prison, with credit for time already served. Lewis will also be expected to serve three years of supervised release after his federal prison sentence.