In the early morning hours of February 24, 2008, 18-year-old Richard Lewis was shot and killed in Des Moines, Iowa. Lewis was inside a car near downtown with a friend, 18-year-old Damont Jackson, when gunfire erupted around 2:40 a.m. Jackson was wounded in the leg and required surgery but was expected to recover.

Investigators initially sought two men as material witnesses: 22-year-old Jerrid Winfrey of Des Moines and 37-year-old Dorian Mosely of Fort Dodge, though neither was immediately labeled a suspect. Prosecutors later said the motive related to a dispute months earlier involving an accusation that Lewis had stolen marijuana from Winfrey’s uncle. At trial Damont Jackson identified Jerrid Michael Winfrey as the shooter, describing Winfrey following them to the car, putting his arm inside as Lewis got into the driver’s seat, and firing before walking away.

A jury found Winfrey guilty of first-degree murder, attempt to commit murder, and willful injury causing serious injury. Lewis’s mother, Nicole Sanders, has spoken publicly about her grief and the impact of gun violence. If anyone knew Richard, his movements that night, or has information relevant to the case, please come forward.