A tragic murder in Beaumont, Texas, has led to the arrest of a 54-year-old man, Larry Fitzgerald Williams, who is accused of fatally shooting 51-year-old Brian Lewis while he was mowing his lawn.
Police say the shooting was the culmination of a violent history between the two men, which dates back to a previous assault in 2024. The suspect’s violent actions were reportedly tied to Lewis’s cooperation in an earlier criminal case.
The Fatal Shooting
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Beaumont police responded to a report of a shooting at Lewis’s rental home around 1:44 p.m. When they arrived, they found Lewis lying dead at the scene after being shot while operating his riding lawnmower. The shooting took place in broad daylight, making the crime all the more shocking for the local community.
Surveillance footage from the area showed a man fleeing the scene on a motorcycle, and investigators quickly identified the suspect as Larry Fitzgerald Williams. The description from the footage matched Williams, and police issued a warrant for his arrest the following day.
The Violent History Between Williams and Lewis
According to a probable cause affidavit, this was not the first time that Williams and Lewis had encountered each other violently. In 2024, Williams was accused of assaulting Lewis with brass knuckles, an attack that left Lewis with severe injuries to his head and skull, requiring an extended stay in the intensive care unit.
The incident was so serious that Williams was charged with aggravated assault. As the trial was set to begin in July 2025, Williams reportedly made several threatening statements, telling Lewis he would kill him if he didn’t drop the charges against him.
Williams was featured in a news segment titled “On the Run,” where police highlighted his violent history. Following the broadcast, Williams turned himself in to authorities but remained a free man until the recent shooting of Lewis.
The affidavit revealed that Williams had specifically targeted Lewis in the shooting because of his involvement in the criminal case against him.
Williams’ Arrest and Police Investigation
Williams was apprehended in Houston after a warrant for his arrest was issued on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Police indicated that the shooting was premeditated, as Williams had reportedly targeted Lewis due to his cooperation in the earlier case.
Authorities believe Williams’ anger over the pending legal case against him may have driven him to take such a violent and lethal action.
The police investigation is ongoing, and charges are expected to follow as authorities prepare for Williams’ trial. The case has shocked the local community, where many knew of the violent history between the two men, and the murder has only deepened concerns about escalating violence.
This tragic incident underscores the dangers of unresolved disputes, especially when previous violent actions are left unaddressed. Larry Fitzgerald Williams’ arrest brings some closure, but the community remains shaken by the senseless violence that led to the death of Brian Lewis.
As the legal process continues, the full scope of the conflict between the two men will likely be revealed, and authorities will work to ensure justice is served for Lewis and his family.
