Friends remember Henderson man killed in Texas

Pvt. Justin Antwan Lewis, 19, died on April 17 in Killeen, Texas, from a gunshot wound, according to a news release from Fort Hood. Lewis entered active duty in August 2016, and he has been assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood since February 2017.

In a news release, Killeen police said they responded around 11:15 p.m. Monday to a report of shots fired near a vacant lot in the city. Officers found Lewis, who was pronounced dead a short time later.

Edashia Cheek knew Lewis since the two were in middle school. She said they briefly dated and always remained good friends.

"It's just so sad to see somebody would do something like that to him," she said.

Police ruled Lewis' death a murder, but investigators have not said what may have led up to the shooting, or who may be responsible.

"It's crazy he leaves his hometown where everybody is getting killed at and … gets killed somewhere else," said Shamari Tucker-Steed, a childhood friend of Lewis.

She said he was out in Texas following his dreams.

"All he dreamed about was serving our country. That’s all he used to talk about," Tucker-Steed said. "Whoever did it, I just want them to come forward and see my pain and my cry, that he killed my best friend I grew up with."

Lewis was previously awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

The Killeen Police Department is investigating the death.