Two Arrested After Fatal Shooting in Waco Parking Lot

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A man was shot and killed in a Waco, Texas parking lot last week after a dispute, and the man who admitted to shooting him, Reginald Lewis Jr., is now facing a murder charge. Savannah Hope Birdwell, who witnessed the shooting, was also arrested for failure to report a felony and tampering with physical evidence.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and the need for better conflict resolution in Waco. The arrests also raise questions about the role of bystanders in reporting crimes and the challenges law enforcement faces in collecting evidence when witnesses do not cooperate.

The details

According to police, on February 27th officers responded to reports of a shooting at a parking lot on 601 S. 11th St. in Waco. They found a man with a gunshot wound to the chest who later died at the hospital. Witnesses said the victim had been in a dispute with Lewis and Birdwell before the shooting. Surveillance footage and witness statements contradicted Lewis's claim of self-defense, and Birdwell did not report the incident and drove the suspect's vehicle and gun away from the scene.

• On February 27th, police responded to the shooting incident in a Waco parking lot.
• The victim was later pronounced dead at Hillcrest Hospital.

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for Lewis and Birdwell at their upcoming court hearings.