A Maryland man who shot and killed a transgender woman in the parking lot of her apartment complex in December 2023 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with the possibility of release in just five years. The decision has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that the sentence fails to deliver true justice for the victim, Meghan Riley Lewis.
A Deadly Encounter
On the evening of December 27, 2023, 57-year-old Meghan Riley Lewis was walking toward her apartment in the English Country Manor neighborhood when she encountered 48-year-old food delivery driver Brian Delen. According to court documents, as Delen was making a delivery, he saw Lewis approaching and asked, “Are you waiting for a food delivery, sir?”
Witnesses testified that Lewis, who was misgendered in the exchange, became upset and started yelling. Rather than de-escalating the situation, Delen drove away, with Lewis following on foot. Moments later, he stopped his car, and a confrontation ensued.
According to a witness, Delen leaned out of his vehicle, pulled out a gun, and shot Lewis in the stomach. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive her injuries.
Delen called 911 following the shooting and told authorities that he had been attacked. However, police reports indicate that an unopened medical kit was found on the driver’s seat of his vehicle—contradicting his claim that he had attempted to provide aid.
Legal Proceedings and Community Outrage
Initially, Delen was arrested and later released on bail with a GPS monitor, a decision that was met with immediate backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
“Harford County is sending a message to LGBTQ folks that they are not giving out justice to transgender people,” said Iya Dammons of Maryland Safe Haven.
Two months later, in February 2024, Delen’s charges were upgraded, and he was ordered to be held without bail. However, despite being charged with murder, he was acquitted of that charge in November 2024. Instead, he was convicted of second-degree assault and the use of a firearm in a violent crime—a decision that left many in the transgender community feeling devastated and frustrated.
During the trial, Delen’s defense argued that he had acted in self-defense, a claim that was met with skepticism by prosecutors and LGBTQ+ activists. A key witness at the trial stated that Delen “just leaned out of his car and shot her.” Despite this testimony, the judge allowed the jury to consider Delen’s self-defense argument.
On Monday, Delen was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with the first five years to be served without the possibility of parole. After his release, he will remain on supervised probation for another five years.
A Life Cut Short
For those who knew Lewis, the sentence is a painful reminder of the violence that transgender individuals—especially transgender women—continue to face. Friends and community members remember Lewis as a fierce advocate who dedicated much of her life to supporting others in the LGBTQ+ community.
“She opened her doors, her heart, everything for LGBT individuals and was one of the strongest advocates in supporting them,” a close friend told WJZ. She helped establish a patient support group for transgender individuals seeking affirming healthcare, ensuring that others had a safe space to turn to in times of need.
Lewis’s tragic death has become yet another entry in the growing list of transgender individuals whose lives were taken due to violence. The Human Rights Campaign has consistently reported rising numbers of fatal attacks against transgender and gender nonconforming people, with trans women of color facing the highest rates of violence.
The Bottom Line
While Delen’s conviction ensures that he will serve time, the outcome has left many questioning whether the justice system truly values the lives of transgender individuals. With the possibility of parole in just five years, activists worry that the leniency of the sentence sends a troubling message about how crimes against transgender people are handled in the courts.
“This verdict doesn’t bring Meghan back, and it certainly doesn’t send a strong enough message that violence against transgender people won’t be tolerated,” said one advocate. “We will continue fighting for justice for Meghan and for all trans individuals who have been victims of violence.”
As the transgender community mourns yet another senseless loss, Lewis’s legacy as a compassionate, fierce advocate remains. Her friends and loved ones hope that her death will serve as a wake-up call for stronger protections and more just legal outcomes for transgender individuals facing violence.
The fight for justice is far from over.
