After nearly four years of investigation, authorities have arrested Frederick Dewayne Lewis, 22, in connection with the 2021 shooting death of Trevoris Sheppard at Tuscaloosa’s Hay Court apartments. Lewis was taken into custody on July 5, 2025, following his indictment by a Tuscaloosa County grand jury.
The shooting occurred on October 19, 2021, when Sheppard was walking home through the Hay Court apartment complex. He sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to DCH Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. At the time of the incident, Lewis was 18 years old.
Tuscaloosa’s Violent Crimes Unit led the investigation, which remained active despite initial challenges in identifying a suspect. The breakthrough came through a combination of community involvement and a thorough reexamination of existing evidence. Investigators credit the cooperation of local residents for providing vital information that helped advance the case.
The indictment represents a significant development in what had become a cold case, demonstrating the Violent Crimes Unit’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of the time elapsed. Investigators worked methodically through evidence and witness statements, building a case that ultimately led to Lewis’s arrest.
Following standard judicial procedures, Lewis was released on a $75,000 bond after his arrest. The case remains under active investigation, with authorities continuing to gather and analyze evidence. The Violent Crimes Unit maintains that additional details may emerge as the legal proceedings move forward.
The arrest marks a significant step in bringing closure to a case that has remained unsolved since 2021. Law enforcement officials emphasize that such developments in cold cases often result from persistent investigative work combined with community assistance. The collaboration between police and residents proved critical in moving this case forward.
As the legal process continues, investigators are working to ensure all evidence is properly documented and preserved for prosecution. The case will proceed through the judicial system, with future court dates to be determined.
The Violent Crimes Unit continues to encourage anyone with additional information about the case to come forward, as every detail could prove important in securing justice for Trevoris Sheppard and his family.
