FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WNCN/WFLA) – A soldier from Sarasota is suspected of killing his pregnant wife and then himself in front of their 3-year-old daughter in North Carolina on Sunday.
Fort Bragg officials released more information on Staff Sgt. Keith Lewis, 31, on Tuesday.
Fayetteville police said the incident happened at the couple’s duplex on Sunday. Lewis was reportedly fighting with his wife, Sarah Lewis, 34, who was pregnant, in front of their 3-year-old child. He reportedly fired several shots, killing Lewis and her unborn child, then he turned the gun on himself.
Police said the 3-year-old girl is safe and staying with family.
Fort Bragg said Lewis enlisted in the U.S. Army in Sept. 2007 and served as a Special Operations combat medic.
“We are profoundly saddened at the tragic passing of Staff Sgt. and Mrs. Lewis. Our soldiers and families are the bedrock of our unit and any loss deeply affects our formations,” stated Lt. Col. Mark Finnegan, 98th Civil Affairs Battalion Commander. “We are working to provide the utmost support to the family and our team.”
Lewis faced a misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun charge in 2016 in Cumberland County.
The report listed Sarah Lewis as the victim. The district attorney says the charges were dismissed as requested by the victim.
Sgt. Jeremy Glass said help is available for domestic violence victims at Fort Bragg.
“Each patrol unit has a domestic violence liaison, we have a victim advocate which is a non sworn position that can help get people out of those types of situations,” Glass said.
Victims can electronically file a protective order if needed.
8 On Your Side spoke with Lewis’ mother, Lynda Lewis, on Tuesday.
“My son was a really good man,” Lewis said. “It’s extremely shocking for us
Lewis said her son Keith was born and raised in Sarasota and joined the Army on his 18th birthday.
Lewis says she last spoke with her son and daughter in law last week and said everything seemed fine, even talking about the baby girl Lewis’ family was expecting any day now, Isabelle.
“I could have never imagined this happening,” Lewis said. “He loved his children so much and he loved us, and he was a good son.”
Lewis said when her son came back from Afghanistan he was having horrible migraines and anger issues, and he was diagnosed with a head injury. She believes PTSD and her son’s brain injury contributed to the murder-suicide.
“I want people to be more aware of PTSD and what is does to soldiers and the warning signs,” Lewis said. “The army needs to take responsibility for these men, they don’t support them when they come home, and they need to, they need special programming and counseling.”
Lewis said the incident her son and his wife were involved in 2016 should have been the biggest warning sign that he needed help.
Lewis said both families will meet this weekend.
“He’s not a monster, he was a good dad and a good man,” Lewis said.
Mindy Murphy is the president and CEO of The Spring of Tampa Bay, the certified domestic violence center in Hillsborough County.
She said the number of domestic violence calls her center receives during the holidays varies from year to year and season to season.
“Holidays magnify the challenges in a relationship,” Murphy said.
Murphy said there are several reasons why a survivor may drop charges or stop participating in a criminal charge, but the biggest one is fear.
“She’s told by the abuser if you keep going down this path I will kill you, your parents, our child, then myself,” Murphy said. “There are other reasons like economic hardships, or a piece of them still love the abuser.”
“Survivors it is never your fault,” Murphy said. “When someone kills their partner then themselves it is about power and control, not about mental health, not about suicide this is someone who has chosen the ultimate power and control tactic in killing his partner.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Fayetteville Police Department with assistance by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command.
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