BEAUMONT, TX – A Texas man was shot and killed while mowing his lawn over the weekend, and authorities allege the suspected gunman had a history of violence with the victim.
Police say 51-year-old Brian Lewis was found dead in front of his rental home Saturday afternoon after officers responded to a shooting. Investigators quickly focused on a suspect captured on neighborhood security cameras fleeing the area on a motorcycle.
By Monday, police arrested 54-year-old Larry Fitzgerald Williams in connection with the killing. Williams was taken into custody in Houston after a judge signed a warrant for his arrest.
Investigators revealed that Williams and Lewis were familiar with each other from a previous violent incident. According to court affidavits, Williams had faced charges earlier this year for allegedly assaulting Lewis, an attack that reportedly left the victim in intensive care with severe head injuries.
Authorities said the earlier assault was scheduled to go to trial in July, with Williams facing an aggravated assault charge. The documents quoted Williams as threatening Lewis, reportedly saying that Lewis “needed to drop charges or Williams would kill” him.
Following public attention on the previous case, Williams eventually surrendered to law enforcement. However, tensions reportedly remained high between the two men as the criminal trial approached.
On Saturday, police responded to the 2100 block of North Street at approximately 1:44 p.m., where they found Lewis had been shot while operating a riding lawnmower in his yard. He died at the scene, according to officials.
Shortly after the shooting, Beaumont’s Real-Time Crime Center collected surveillance footage that showed a motorcycle leaving the area around the time of the incident. Investigators recognized similarities between the suspect seen in the video and Williams, prompting the rapid issuance of an arrest warrant.
By Sunday, authorities tracked Williams to Houston, where he was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held on charges related to Lewis’ homicide.
Police confirmed their belief that Williams targeted Lewis because the victim was cooperating with prosecutors in the upcoming aggravated assault case.
As the community reels from the violent outcome of a long-standing dispute, authorities urge anyone with more information about the case to contact Beaumont Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.