Relatives of a man who died after an encounter with police in Willits are suing. His family alleges that law enforcement used excessive force to restrain Nicholas Bakewell when they responded to a call about a disturbance on Bray Road and Hearst Wilits, June 5th 2025. The federal lawsuit says Bakwell showed signs of distress when he was restrained and tased. He became unresponsive and died at the scene. The suit names the deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department, officers from the City of Willits Police Department, plus Mendocino County and the City of Willits. Bakwell’s Mother and his three minor children are bringing the suit. The city and county deny doing anything wrong