Woman killed in Bel Air shooting was a 'loving' advocate for LGBTQ+ community, friends say

BALTIMORE -- Friends of Meghan Riley Lewis say she was a parent, a friend and an advocate for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

The 57-year-old was shot and killed Wednesday evening in the parking lot of her apartment complex.

Brian Delen, 47, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and firearms charges. He is currently being held without bond.

Bel Air Police said Delen was delivering food around 6:30 p.m. to the English Country Manor neighborhood when he got into an argument with Lewis.

Police said at one point, things turned physical and that's when Delen pulled out a gun and shot Lewis, who was a parent of two.

"He was standing there, pretty much surrendered to us, so officers placed him in custody and they recovered a firearm from his person -- a loaded firearm," Bel Air Police Chief Charles Moore said.

Police said Lewis was shot once in the torso and was found in the parking lot by responding officers. 

They immediately started life-saving measures, but she was taken to the hospital where she died.

Lewis's friends told WJZ they are heartbroken by Lewis's death.

"She was a very open, loving and sparkly individual," a friend said. "Her catchphrase for everything was 'stay sparkly.'"

Friends said Lewis founded a patient support group for trans individuals coming to Baltimore for life-saving surgery, and she opened her door to anyone who needed support.

"She opened her doors, her heart, everything for LGBT individuals and was one of the strongest advocates in supporting them," the friend said.

Right now, police say they are not investigating this as a hate crime, but they need more information.

Police are asking for neighbors who may have heard or saw anything to turn over any surveillance video or statements to police.