Eric Darnell Noel, a 29-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on February 14, 2014, in Port Arthur, Texas. On that fateful night, Port Arthur Police were dispatched to the 800 block of 9th Street around 1 a.m. after receiving calls about a "man down." Upon arrival, officers found Eric Darnell Noel lying in the middle of the roadway, having been fatally shot.
At the time of his death, Noel was wearing a white durag, a gray and red fleece-type jacket, long black jean shorts, and red low-type tennis shoes.
The investigation into Noel's murder revealed that he had been involved in an altercation earlier that night in the parking lot of BJ's Food Store, located at 1201 Seventh Street. According to reports, Noel had walked away from the altercation and was heading to his girlfriend's house when he was shot. The police believe that the same individual involved in the argument followed Noel and opened fire, leaving him to die in the street.
For years, the case remained unsolved, with Noel's family and the community seeking justice. In 2017, Damond Lewis, a 39-year-old African American male, was identified as a person of interest in the case. Lewis was also wanted on a felony robbery warrant at the time. Despite efforts to locate him, the case remained cold until June 14, 2024, when Port Arthur Police arrested Damond Lewis and charged him in connection with Noel's murder. Lewis had been listed as a person of interest since 2017, and his arrest brought a sense of closure to Noel's family and the community.
Throughout the investigation, Noel's family, particularly his mother, Lula Noel, remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice. Lula Noel recalled the devastating night when she received the call about her son's shooting and the heart-wrenching experience of not being able to see him until his funeral. Despite the pain and grief, she continued to hold on to hope and faith, putting up flyers and pleading for information that could lead to an arrest.
The arrest of Damond Lewis marked a significant development in the case, providing some measure of justice for Eric Darnell Noel and his family. The community's support and the relentless efforts of the Port Arthur Police Department played a crucial role in bringing the case to a resolution.
