Food Delivery Driver Sentenced In Fatal Shooting Of Meghan Riley Lewis

BEL AIR, MD — The food delivery driver who fatally shot Meghan Riley Lewis in December 2023 has been sentenced.

Meghan Lewis, 52, a transgender woman and advocate, was shot in the 600 block of Churchill Road in Bel Air. Brian Michael Delen, 48, of Bel Air, was tried on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and a gun offense in the Dec. 27, 2023, killing of Lewis.

Police say Delen fatally shot 53-year-old Meghan Riley Lewis following an argument. Delen was delivering food around 6:30 p.m. Dec. 27, 2023, to the English Country Manor neighborhood along Churchill Road when he argued with Lewis, Patch reported previously. Delen saw Lewis walking toward his vehicle and said something like, "Are you waiting for a food delivery, sir," according to the charging documents. Delen said Lewis was offended by his remarks, CBS News reported, believing that he had misgendered her and began yelling at him.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that showed Delen was still at the scene on Churchill Road with the gun authorities said was used in the shooting, in addition to two knives and two loaded magazines. Prosecutors said testimony revealed Delen was delivering a food order to someone else before the shooting and there was no altercation between him and Lewis, according to The Baltimore Banner. The defense introduced a 911 call from Delen in which he claimed he had been attacked by Lewis. Based on his allegations on the 911 call that there had been an attack, the judge instructed the jury that self-defense was a factor for them to consider, prosecutors said.

The state objected and argued that no evidence had been presented to support that Delen was in fear of imminent death or serious bodily harm, as required by Maryland's self-defense laws, according to CBS News. Following a seven-day trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on the assault and gun charges.

Delen has been sentenced to serve 10 years in prison.

Related:

• Verdict Reached In Meghan Riley Lewis Murder Trial
• Woman Fatally Shot During Argument In Parking Lot: Bel Air Police
• Suspect In Meghan Lewis' Shooting Death Remains Out Of Jail, Protest Held In Bel Air