An Aurora man was sentenced to 57 years in prison last week in the shooting of his estranged wife and her cousin after he found out he was not the biological father of one of his children, the 17th Judicial District announced.
An Adams County jury in February found Kelynn Lewis, 34, guilty of second-degree murder, attempted murder, child abuse and tampering for the Feb. 9, 2024, shooting at his estranged wife’s apartment in the 1700 block of Paris Street.
According to the district attorney’s office, Lewis’ estranged wife told him via text that he was not the father of one of their children, and he threatened to kill her the next time he saw her. Lewis went to her apartment later that day, forced his way inside and went into her bedroom, where the woman was with her cousin, 35-year-old Vatrice Little.
Lewis opened fire on his estranged wife, and Little stepped in front of her cousin to protect her as Lewis fired five more shots, according to the district attorney’s office. His wife fell to the floor and pretended to be dead, and Little was pronounced dead at a hospital. Four children, ages 9, 5, 4 and 3 were in the apartment during the shooting but were not injured.
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Lewis initially was charged with first-degree murder, but the jury convicted him Feb. 13 on the lesser charge of second-degree murder.
“Vatrice Little died while trying to protect a family member from a vicious and violent attack,” District Attorney Brian Mason said in a statement. “Her courage in those final moments was extraordinary, and her loss is devastating.”
Lewis’ attorney could not immediately be reached for comment about the sentencing.
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