On a Tuesday afternoon in the small community of Havaco, near Welch, West Virginia, the life of Brian L. "Lee-Lee" Lewis was tragically cut short. On January 24, 2017, the 38-year-old Black / African American man was fatally shot. Deputies from the McDowell County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene around 2:20 p.m. following reports of a shooting.
Upon their arrival, they discovered Lewis suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate medical efforts and his transport to Welch Community Hospital, Lewis succumbed to his injuries. The investigation that followed, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police Welch detachment, quickly pointed to a suspect. Kenneth Joseph Brown Jr., a 33-year-old resident of Havaco, was identified as the alleged shooter. His arrest marked a significant development in a case that had shaken the local community.
Brown was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, wanton endangerment, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following his arrest, he was arraigned before a magistrate where no bond was set. The community mourned the loss of Lewis, who was remembered as a well-known and active member of his community, a graduate of Mount View High School, and a member of the Havaco Temple Baptist Church. A celebration of his life was held at Kimball Elementary School, followed by his entombment at Woodlawn Mausoleum in Bluewell.
