In the late summer of 2023, the community of New Iberia, Louisiana, was shaken by an act of violence that claimed the life of a beloved family man. Adlai Kenneth Lewis Sr., a 66-year-old Black male affectionately known as 'Boo-By,' was fatally shot on the evening of Sunday, August 6, 2023. He was a resident of New Iberia, a place he called home and where he was a well-known figure, not least because his nephew, Marlon Lewis, served as the District 2 Councilman.
The shooting occurred at a
local convenience store, a place that, according to his nephew, had become a source of trouble for the community. Lewis was rushed to Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his wounds the following day, on Monday, August 7, 2023, leaving behind his wife, Rosalind Mitchell Lewis, and their three sons. His passing sent ripples of grief through his family and the wider New Iberia community.
In the wake of the tragic event, the New Iberia Police Department moved swiftly to identify and apprehend a suspect. Their investigation led them to DeAndre Bernard, who was subsequently arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. Bernard faced serious charges, including one count of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of an unidentifiable firearm. The arrest brought a small measure of solace to a grieving family and a community seeking justice, though it could not undo the profound loss of a man described as a devoted husband, father, and a familiar face to many.
