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Victorville man awarded $27.3 million from deputy shooting that left him partially paralyzed

February 10, 2026

A federal jury has awarded $27.3 million to a Victorville man left partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair from a shooting by a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy.

The award to Steffon Barber, 39 — believed to be the highest in a nonfatal police shooting case out of U.S. District Court in Riverside — included $7.25 million for past pain and suffering, $18.25 million for future pain and suffering, and $1.85 million for future economic damages, his attorneys announced in a news release.

Jurors unanimously found Monday, Feb. 9, that Deputy Christopher Alfred used excessive and unreasonable force and was negligent when he fired six shots at Barber, including one that struck him in the back of the head and caused permanent brain damage, according to the release.

“I’m very pleased with the jury’s verdict and thankful to the jurors for giving justice and fair compensation for Mr. Barber,” said Barber’s attorney, Dale K. Galipo.

Alfred responded to a disturbance call at a residence in the 12000 block of White Avenue in Adelanto about 11 p.m. on April 27, 2021. Neighbors reported that Barber was acting erratically, hitting cars, yelling and demanding rides from people.

According to a report by the District Attorney’s Office, Alfred asked Barber to show his hands. Barber replied by saying, “(Expletive!) Show me your hands!” before reaching into the driver’s side of his idling 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, prompting Alfred to draw his gun, thinking Barber was reaching for a weapon. Alfred, according to the report, was communicating with a dispatcher over the radio while everything was unfolding.

Barber then entered his vehicle and accelerated in reverse at high speed down a dirt driveway toward Alfred, according to the report. Fearing for his safety, Alfred fired five to six shots, one striking Barber in the top of the head. Prosecutors concluded the shooting was legally justified as self-defense.

Barber subsequently was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, plus enhancements for prior felony convictions, and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Despite the findings by the District Attorney’s Office, jurors in the civil case concluded Alfred acted unreasonably and negligently. They found Barber was moving slowly as he exited the driveway when Alfred fired, and that Alfred had ample clear space to reposition himself, contradicting the defense’s claim that the shooting was unavoidable.

Rodney S. Diggs, another of Barber’s attorneys, said in a telephone interview Monday that while Barber was not left completely paralyzed from the shooting, he no longer has movement of the left side of his body and can barely walk.

“This verdict is a powerful affirmation that constitutional rights do not stop at the end of a driveway,” Diggs said. “The jury carefully weighed the evidence and held law enforcement accountable for a shooting that never should have happened. While no amount of money can restore Mr. Barber’s health or mobility, today’s verdict provides him with dignity, security and a measure of justice.”

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Orange County Register

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Victorville man awarded $27.3 million from deputy shooting that left him partially paralyzed

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