03:52 PM CDT on Friday, July 14, 2006

WWLTV.com

New Orleans Police said they shot a man Thursday night in Algiers after the man allegedly pulled a gun on patrol officer. The man, identified as 39-year-old Kirk Lewis, later died.

WWL-TV

Roycelen Lewis says her brother was unarmed when police shot him.

According to police spokeswoman Bambi Hall, the incident took place in the 3900 block of Sullen Place. Authorities were attempting to pull over Lewis for suspicious activity. Lewis was on his bike at the time.

Hall said Lewis pulled into an alleyway between two houses, where he dropped a bag from his waistband.

When police asked Lewis to show his hands they said he began to yell obscenities and then pointed a gun at police. An officer at the scene fired one shot, hitting Lewis in the chest, Hall said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later.

But Lewis’ family insisted he was unarmed.

"He didn’t have a gun. He never, ever had a gun. He never, ever carried guns. And he didn’t have no drugs on him,” said Roycelen Lewis, the suspect’s sister.

According to police, Lewis had an outstanding burglary warrant and added that they found a gun and drugs at the scene.

The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative assignment while the public integrity bureau investigates the case, Hall said.