In the quiet, early morning hours of February 28, 2026, a tragedy unfolded on a residential street in Mesa, Arizona, ending the life of 32-year-old Maria Lewis. A mother of seven, Lewis had reportedly gone for a walk around 2:00 a.m. following an argument with her husband. Shortly thereafter, neighbors reported hearing a gunshot. Around 2:45 a.m., police received a 911 call about an injured person at a home near East Kinetic Drive and South Reliance Way.
Upon arrival, officers discovered
Lewis on the doorstep, suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The home where she was found belonged to her neighbor, 47-year-old Dulance Morin, who was identified as a special agent for the Arizona Attorney General's Office. The investigation into Lewis's death, which was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, quickly focused on Morin.
As the investigation progressed, details emerged from Morin's account of the incident. According to documents, Morin was awakened by loud banging and yelling at his front door. He stated that he retrieved his gun and repeatedly warned the person, later identified as Lewis, that he was armed and would shoot. Morin claimed that Lewis also said she was armed. He told investigators that he was holding his gun when it accidentally went off, and did not recall the door opening or the actual moment of the shooting.
Following a thorough investigation which included multiple search warrants and interviews, Mesa Police detectives identified Dulance Morin as the suspect. They submitted a charge of negligent homicide against him to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review. The case was complicated by Arizona's "Stand Your Ground" and "Castle Doctrine" laws. While the county attorney's office considers the evidence to determine if formal charges will be filed, Morin has been placed on administrative leave from his position.
