Kevin Van Huddleston Reel, a 35-year-old White man from Lexington, Kentucky, was known for his witty sense of humor, his kindness, and a big heart that rarely allowed him to meet a stranger. Formerly of Owensboro, Kevin was a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in philosophy. He was a talented writer working on a book and a fan of "Star Wars" and "The Lord of the Rings."
Friends and family remembered him as a fun, loving, and chivalrous person who enjoyed intellectual conversations, playing the guitar, and singing Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon" at karaoke.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 28, 2023, Kevin’s life was cut short. Around 2:40 a.m., Lexington Police responded to a call at the intersection of West Short Street and North Limestone, where they found Kevin in a parking lot with a gunshot wound. A friend who owned a nearby bar ran outside with towels to apply pressure to his wound, but his injuries were too severe. First responders pronounced Kevin dead at the scene.
The investigation quickly led police to a suspect, 31-year-old Scott Lawless, who was arrested later that same day and charged with murder. Investigators learned that just hours before the shooting, Lawless had been at a nearby restaurant for a job interview, where he met Kevin through a mutual friend. The two men were seen leaving the restaurant together later that night.
At his trial in January 2026, Lawless’s defense attorney argued that he was trying to de-escalate a fight between Kevin and a friend when his gun accidentally fired. Kevin’s family refuted this claim, stating that their loved one was unarmed, confused, and had no time to defend himself. His mother, Kathy Reel, described the shooting as a "simple case of cold-blooded murder."
The jury found Scott Lawless not guilty of murder but convicted him of the lesser charge of second-degree manslaughter. In February 2026, a judge sentenced Lawless to 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence recommended by the jury. During the hearing, Kevin’s family expressed their grief and frustration, stating that 10 years was not enough justice for their loss. Given the opportunity to address the family, Lawless remained silent. He will receive credit for time already served and is not eligible for probation.
