Ruth Lewis was planning another family member’s funeral Sunday night when she was hit by a stray bullet and killed. She was 89.
What We Know:
- At the moment, Warren city police don’t believe Lewis was the intended target in the shooting. The older woman had been sitting in the living room, planning a funeral for her deceased son, at around 7:30 p.m local time. At that time, bullets were fired into the home, and one managed to strike Lewis in the back. Witnesses in the neighborhood recall that they heard five to ten shots fired into the Trumbull county home. Lewis was pronounced dead a short time later after 911 was called by other individuals in the home.
- Warren city police detective, Michael Altiere, exclaims that Lewis was only visiting the home to go over the logistics of a future funeral. According to People magazine, he claims that “she went up there to visit because of the circumstances surrounding her son’s funeral.” As of late, it is unclear whether or not her son’s death and the shooting are related cases.
- Specific details about the investigation in regards to a motive remain unclear as Warren police officers decline to comment further. Mayor Doug Franklin describes the shooting as another “senseless death caused by a random bullet.” Data shows the shooting as the city’s second homicide of the year. In regards to possible suspects, witnesses claim two vehicles were spotted near the home driving erratically not long after the shooting stopped.
“We have identified people that could have information. We are hoping for a quick turnaround. It is going to take some cooperation from the community,” stated Altiere.
- Lewis was the mother to eight children and had nearly 150 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Lewis was nicknamed ‘Mama’ and had been a notable figure in her community. The 89-year-old was heavily active in politics as well as the church being an evangelist. Lewis also founded a BBQ restaurant with her late husband, Robert Lewis, and had a beauty shop business.
It appears as though the case of Ruth Lewis is being handled with care, and the authorities are taking the proper precautions in following up with any leads to suspects in the shooting.
