Cordell DeShaun Lewis, a 27-year-old male, was fatally shot in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2017, in Columbus, Mississippi. The shooting happened just after 12:20 a.m. outside the Trotter Convention Center as a large party was concluding. Lewis was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, where he died from his injuries.
His death marked the first homicide in the city for that year.
The party at the city-owned convention center had four Columbus police officers and two security guards on site. Prior to the shooting, security had reportedly broken up three separate altercations inside the event. It is not clear if Lewis was involved in any of those incidents. As the party was letting out, the shooting occurred, and one of the police officers present attempted to provide aid to Lewis.
Following an investigation, authorities arrested Undra Williams Jr., 25, at his residence on the morning of December 15, 2017. He was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Cordell Lewis. A judge denied Williams bond during his initial court appearance. Law enforcement officials continued to seek information from the public, believing there were numerous witnesses to the shooting.
