The Maryland delivery driver who shot and killed 57-year-old transgender advocate Meghan Riley Lewis late last year has been convicted of second-degree assault.

Brian Delen, 48, shot Lewis in late December 2023 after reportedly making a delivery to her Baltimore apartment complex. Police previously said that Delen was delivering a food order to Lewis when the two got into a physical altercation.

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Trans woman shot & killed by food delivery driver
“She was a very open, loving and sparkly individual,” one friend said. “Her catchphrase for everything was ‘stay sparkly.'”

But according to local CBS affiliate WJZ, court records indicate Delen was delivering to another resident. Lewis reportedly exited her apartment to look for a guest she was expecting and approached Delen’s car in the complex’s parking lot, telling him to stop. A witness said Delen leaned out of his car and shot her in the torso. Delen then called 911 and claimed that Lewis had physically attacked him.

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Delen reportedly also told a 911 dispatcher that he was attempting to aid the injured Lewis, but court documents say police found an undisturbed medical kit on the driver’s seat of his car.

Bel Air Police Chief Charles Moore told WJZ last December that Delen had remained on the scene when they arrived and “pretty much surrendered to us.” Moore also said police found a loaded firearm on his person.

Lewis was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Delen was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and firearms charges.

On Wednesday, November 6, however, Delean was found guilty of second-degree assault and use of a firearm in commission of a crime of violence.

In a statement, State’s Attorney Alison Healey said the prosecution stands by their argument that “the incident that took the life of Meghan Riley Lewis was undoubtedly a First Degree Murder.”

“While we are disappointed and saddened by the outcome, we respect the jury’s decision in this case and their role in the judicial process,” Healey said, adding that the state intends to seek the maximum penalty of 30 years.  

Friends told WJZ last December that Lewis was “a very open, loving and sparkly individual.” A parent of two, whose motto was “stay sparkly,” also reportedly founded a patient support group for Baltimore-bound trans people seeking gender-affirming care and surgery.

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

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