On a tragic Saturday night in Niagara Falls, New York, 35-year-old Lerowne Harris, a Black male, lost his life in a burst of violence that stunned the local community. On October 14, 2017, Harris was in the parking lot at the intersection of 19th Street and Walnut Avenue when he was shot. In the immediate aftermath, witnesses reported that he was quickly put into a vehicle and rushed to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.
Despite the urgent medical attention, Harris succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly as the community grappled with the sudden loss. The day after the fatal shooting, a suspect turned himself in to the Niagara Falls Police. Denzel Lewis, a 21-year-old resident of Niagara Falls, surrendered to authorities while accompanied by a relative. His surrender led to immediate charges being filed against him.
Following his surrender, Denzel Lewis was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the death of Lerowne Harris. Investigators also recovered a semi-automatic pistol that they believed was used in the shooting. The case against Lewis then began to move through the legal system, with the community closely watching for the outcome of the proceedings and hoping for justice for Harris and his family.
