Taqiy Lewis of Lakeland pleaded guilty on Mar. 16 to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon in connection with a fatal shooting. United States Attorney Gregory Kehoe said Lewis faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
The case centers on a Dec. 24, 2020, incident when Lewis and others exchanged gunfire outside the home of a family in Lakeland. During the shootout, 70-year-old M.C. was struck twice and killed while outside with her family, including young children. A 13-year-old girl, identified as A.L., was also shot and wounded.
More than two years after the incident, law enforcement recovered a Kahr CM9 9mm pistol during an unrelated investigation on Feb. 9, 2023. Forensic testing using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network confirmed that this firearm was used in the shooting that killed M.C. and injured A.L. Investigators determined that six casings from the scene, two spent projectiles from a home, and a bullet recovered from M.C.’s body were all fired by Lewis using this weapon.
At the time of the shooting, Lewis was already a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lakeland Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes is prosecuting.
