On a Friday evening in Aurora, Colorado, a gathering of cousins took a tragic turn, ending in the death of Vatrice 'Chyna' LaShae Little, a 35-year-old Black / African American woman. The events unfolded on February 9, 2024, at an apartment on Paris Street where Vatrice was spending time with her cousin, Deondranay McCain. The two were braiding each other's hair in a bedroom, a quiet moment that was soon to be shattered.
The tranquility was broken when McCain's ex-husband, 32-year-old Kelynn Lewis, entered the apartment. He had moved out three months prior following a divorce from McCain. Lewis walked to the bedroom doorway, armed with a handgun. He allegedly directed his anger towards McCain, reportedly upset after she had told him earlier that day that he was not the biological father of her youngest child, a child he had raised since birth. Lewis is said to have fired at McCain, who dropped to the floor and pretended to be dead to save her own life. It was in this moment that Vatrice Little is believed to have intervened, moving in front of her cousin to protect her. Lewis then allegedly fired multiple more shots, fatally wounding Vatrice. She was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the face.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Kelynn Lewis fled the scene. An intensive search was launched by the Aurora Police Department, and approximately 36 hours later, he was located and arrested. The Adams County District Attorney's Office later charged Lewis with first-degree murder for the death of Vatrice Little and attempted first-degree murder for the alleged attempt on Deondranay McCain's life. He also faced four counts of misdemeanor child abuse, as there were children present in another room of the apartment during the violent incident. Lewis had a prior criminal history that included charges of burglary and being a felon in possession of a weapon.
