AZ - Maria Lewis (32), Arizona Mom of 7, Fatally Shot on Doorstep After Evening Walk, Meza - 28 Feb 2026

[Knox]

An Arizona mother of seven was shot to death early Saturday, Feb. 28, and was discovered dead when officers responded to a welfare check at a residence.

Mesa police were dispatched around 2:30 a.m. to a home near Ray Road in southeast Mesa, where officers located 32-year-old Maria Ernestina Lewis with a gunshot wound, Fox 10 Phoenix, Arizona’s Family and KPNX reported, citing police. She was pronounced dead at the scene, per the outlets.

Per KPNX and 12 News, her body was found on the doorstep of a neighbor's home. Arizona’s Family reported that paver steps and a doorbell camera were missing from the porch on Monday.

Authorities have not identified a suspect or announced any arrests, the outlets reported. Investigators have also declined to release details about what led to the gunfire, saying the investigation remains ongoing.

https://people.com/arizona-mother-seven-fatally-shot-doorstep-11918712

 

[Knox]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029013364941484359

 

[Knox]

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Maria Ernestina Lewis. Her husband told FOX 10 there was some sort of altercation that led to the neighbor shooting and killing his wife, who somehow ended up at her neighbor's front door.

The husband said investigators told him the man claimed the shooting was an accident, and has since said he has hired an attorney.

Lewis leaves behind seven children and her husband, who was her high school sweetheart.

- The backstory:

A spokesperson with the Arizona Attorney General's Office said on March 2: "I can confirm DuLance Morin has been employed by the Attorney General's Office since February 2016. He was placed on administrative leave this weekend pending the Mesa Police Department's investigation."

Lewis' family wants to seek a murder charge against the shooter, who had the blood-stained tiles removed from the home’s entryway within hours of the fatal shooting.

Arizona AG employee 'involved' in death of Mesa mom of 7 killed on neighbor's doorstep

An employee with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, DuLance Morin, has been identified by police as the person involved in the death a Mesa mother of seven.

www.fox10phoenix.com

 

[FeelMyHeat]

View attachment 650010

An Arizona mother of seven was shot to death early Saturday, Feb. 28, and was discovered dead when officers responded to a welfare check at a residence.

Mesa police were dispatched around 2:30 a.m. to a home near Ray Road in southeast Mesa, where officers located 32-year-old Maria Ernestina Lewis with a gunshot wound, Fox 10 Phoenix, Arizona’s Family and KPNX reported, citing police. She was pronounced dead at the scene, per the outlets.

Per KPNX and 12 News, her body was found on the doorstep of a neighbor's home. Arizona’s Family reported that paver steps and a doorbell camera were missing from the porch on Monday.

Authorities have not identified a suspect or announced any arrests, the outlets reported. Investigators have also declined to release details about what led to the gunfire, saying the investigation remains ongoing.

https://people.com/arizona-mother-seven-fatally-shot-doorstep-11918712

BBM. This is an odd one... Where were her kids?


MOO

 

[FeelMyHeat]

Lewis’ husband, Albert Mendivil, told KPNX that his wife had gone for a walk shortly before police arrived.


“I see red and blue lights on the back of the apartments and I came running out and look over. And that’s when police pulled me back,” Mendivil said.


https://people.com/arizona-mother-seven-fatally-shot-doorstep-11918712

 

[Knox]

I have many questions also! She has seven kids and went for a walk at 2:00 AM? Then ends up dead on a neighbor's doorstep, who is an investigator with the Arizona Attorney General's Office (Dulance Morin)?

Morin says the shooting was an accident? No charges have been filed? What?!!

That story makes zero sense?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulance-morin-531187b4/

According to his LinkedIn, he's 48 years old.

 

[Muddy K]

I have many questions also! She has seven kids and went for a walk at 2:00 AM? Then ends up dead on a neighbor's doorstep, who is an investigator with the Arizona Attorney General's Office?

Investigator says the shooting was an accident? No charges have been filed? What?!!

That story makes zero sense?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulance-morin-531187b4/

According to Dulance's LinkedIn, he's 48 years old.

Yes. And blood-spattered sidewalk tiles and a camera are removed within hours of the shooting?

Huh? WTH?

What a tremendous loss to that big family. What on earth happened?

 

[nao]

Moo..yea if I shoot someone accidentally. Totally I would remove my door camera and move the tiles. Umm no I would not....moo . Where are the tiles n camera, did they accidentally take a walk

 

[Knox]

Moo..yea if I shoot someone accidentally. Totally I would remove my door camera and move the tiles. Umm no I would not....moo

Snipped from his LinkedIn:

In May 2012, I was recruited and hired by the Arizona Corporation Commission as A special investigator for the state as a civilian. In January 2013, at the age of 35, I was offered the opportunity to at attended the Police Academy (LETA) part time as I continued working for the state.

LETA is a intense, highly challenging Law Enforcement Training program certified by the Arizona Peace Officers Standard and Training Board (AZ POST): It is an 800 hour program. Classes are in session Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and all day Saturday, for 10 months.

Upon successfully completion of the academy and the AZ POST comprehension exam, students are eligible to be fully certified Law Enforcement Officer. I am proud to say that I graduated the academy as an exemplary recruit.

I am currently employed with the Arizona Corporation Commission as a Special Investigator enforcing the Securities Act of Arizona and the Arizona Investment Management Act.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulance-morin-531187b4/

Morin states he's been through the AZ POST academy and is a fully certified LEO. Accidental shooting, then removing evidence at a crime scene?

 

[nao]

Moo... good to see he has remembered his training.. sarcasm...moo

 

[scapa]

Snipped from his LinkedIn:

In May 2012, I was recruited and hired by the Arizona Corporation Commission as A special investigator for the state as a civilian. In January 2013, at the age of 35, I was offered the opportunity to at attended the Police Academy (LETA) part time as I continued working for the state.

LETA is a intense, highly challenging Law Enforcement Training program certified by the Arizona Peace Officers Standard and Training Board (AZ POST): It is an 800 hour program. Classes are in session Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and all day Saturday, for 10 months.

Upon successfully completion of the academy and the AZ POST comprehension exam, students are eligible to be fully certified Law Enforcement Officer. I am proud to say that I graduated the academy as an exemplary recruit.

I am currently employed with the Arizona Corporation Commission as a Special Investigator enforcing the Securities Act of Arizona and the Arizona Investment Management Act.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulance-morin-531187b4/

Morin states he's been through the AZ POST academy and is a fully certified LEO. Accidental shooting, then removing evidence at a crime scene?

Hmm. I wonder when they cover "tampering with evidence at the scene of LEO-involved 'accidental' shooting" in that 800 hours...

Definitely an odd one. Do we know anything about an existing relationship of any kind between the scene-cleaning investigator and victim?

Fully expecting charges here.

This has to be absolutely horrific for Maria Ernestina Lewis's surviving partner and kids. Hopefully they are being kept properly in the loop.