In the late summer of 2020, the community of Crossett, Arkansas, was shaken by the violent death of Domonic Ladarius Lewis, a 28-year-old male. On the evening of August 13, Lewis was standing on a street in his hometown when he was tragically gunned down, suffering six gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the Ashley County Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries. Known affectionately as 'Nick' to his family and friends, Lewis was a 2011 graduate of Crossett High School and was remembered as a humble and fun-loving man who cherished his family, especially his children.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed law enforcement to a suspect, Robert J. Williams, Jr. An eyewitness reported seeing Williams fleeing the scene of the crime and running towards a nearby residence. Acting on this information, investigators secured the residence where they discovered evidence linking Williams to the crime, including ammunition and a credit card bearing his name. Williams was later located and apprehended in Union County.
Following his arrest on the same day as the shooting, Robert J. Williams, Jr. was charged with the murder of Domonic Lewis. The ensuing legal process culminated in a trial where Williams was convicted of capital murder and aggravated assault. In a decision delivered in early 2024, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. Williams was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, bringing a measure of closure to the family and friends of Domonic Lewis. Throughout the ordeal, Lewis's family pleaded with the community to refrain from any form of retaliatory violence, honoring his memory by advocating for peace.
