In the autumn of 2021, the life of 28-year-old Trevoris Sheppard was tragically cut short in a shooting at the Hay Court Apartments in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On the afternoon of October 19th, around 12:45 p.m., Sheppard was walking to his home when he was shot. He was found in critical condition and immediately transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment.
Despite the life-saving efforts of medical personnel, Sheppard succumbed to his injuries later that day.
For nearly four years, the case of Sheppard's death remained one of the few unsolved homicides in Tuscaloosa County, a community that prided itself on a high rate of resolved cases. Investigators with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit persistently worked on the case, re-examining evidence and seeking new leads through advancements in technology and community cooperation. Their unwavering efforts eventually led to a significant breakthrough in the summer of 2025.
In July 2025, a grand jury handed down a murder indictment, leading to the arrest of Federick Dewayne Lewis, a 22-year-old man from the nearby town of Moundville. Lewis was just 18 years old at the time of the shooting that claimed Trevoris Sheppard's life. Following his indictment, Lewis was taken into custody and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail. He was later released after posting a $75,000 bond. The arrest brought a long-awaited development in a case that had remained a painful open wound for Sheppard's family and the community.
