‘STAY SPARKLY’
Vigil honors transgender woman shot and killed in Bel Air
Meghan Riley Lewis signed her emails “Stay sparkly,” and was happiest when hiking mountains or dancing at music festivals, her friends recalled at a Tuesday night vigil in Bel Air.
With songs and candles, more than 100 people crowded the street corner outside the Harford County Circuit Court building to honor Lewis, a transgender woman who was shot and killed in the parking lot of her apartment complex on Dec. 27.
“In a world where often existing as a trans person is seen as threatening, she made many trans people feel like there was a place they could belong,” Ruby Miller, a college sophomore said. “I think that humanity that Meghan saw in all of us is what she would really want us to hold on to.”
Harmonie Schiff said Lewis gifted her the first flowers and jewelry she received as a woman, and dreamt of opening a retirement community for transgender women.
“Talk about affirmation,” Schiff said. “Always stay sparkly.”
Schiff led the crowd through “Ripple” by the Grateful Dead with friend Tina Castle on guitar.
Zosia Zaks referred to Lewis as his “trans sister.”
“When I tell you that Meghan showed up in a very difficult time, most of you are going to nod in recognition. Meghan had a knack for showing up in your life just when you needed her most,” Zaks said.
Brian Michael Delen, 47, is accused of shooting Lewis in the upper torso following a confrontation and has been charged with second-degree murder, police said.
According to charging documents, Delen called Bel Air police and said he was attacked by Lewis. During the altercation, Delen pulled out a handgun and shot Lewis, charge documents say. Delen was delivering food to the area when he saw Lewis, walking toward his car, according to charging documents.
Delen, of Bel Air, was initially held at the Harford County Detention Center without bond but was released on his own recognizance Friday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25.
“I’m a little baffled about why the individual who took her life lives in freedom. And I ask the attorney general’s office to investigate why this individual is allowed to be free,” said Renee Lau, a housing director at Baltimore Safe Haven. “As far as I’m concerned, Meghan lost her life due to a hate crime.”