Tragic Discovery: Mother of Seven Found Fatally Shot on Neighbor’s Doorstep, Husband Discovers Scene as Police Arrive

Tragedy struck an Arizona family when an altercation led to the death of a mother of seven on her neighbor’s doorstep. The woman’s husband, Albert Mendivil, was inside their home with their children when he noticed police lights flashing outside. Rushing out, he discovered the heartbreaking scene: his wife, Maria Lewis, had been shot. Police have confirmed that an agent from the state attorney general’s office was involved in the incident.

In an interview with local NBC station KPNX, Mendivil recounted the moment he realized something was wrong. “I see red and blue lights on the back of the apartments and I came running out and look over,” he said. “And that’s when police pulled me back.”

According to Mendivil, Lewis, 32, had gone to a neighbor’s house where a confrontation occurred. Although the details remain unclear, the neighbor reportedly told Mendivil that the shooting was accidental.

The Mesa Police Department has disclosed that DuLance Morin, a 47-year-old agent with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, was “involved in the shooting.” However, specifics regarding his role have not been released, and Morin has not faced any charges at this time.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident. As stated by Mesa Police Department detective and public information officer Jesse Macias, officers initially responded to the scene on February 28 for a welfare check near the intersection of E. Kinetic Dr and S. Reliance Way.

“The information we currently have available is, in the early morning on Feb. 28, officers responded to a residence near the intersection of E. Kinetic Dr and S. Reliance Way for a welfare check call for service,” MPD detective and public information officer Jesse Macias told Law&Crime.

“Once on scene, officers located an adult with a gunshot wound. The adult was later pronounced deceased,” Macias said. “It has been confirmed that 47-year-old DuLance Morin is involved in the shooting.”

The AG’s office told Law&Crime on Thursday that Morin was placed on administrative leave after the incident, pending the Mesa Police Department’s investigation.

“Morin has been employed by the Attorney General’s Office since February 2016,” said communications director Richie Taylor in a statement. “The Attorney General’s Office is fully cooperating with the Mesa PD investigation and will conduct an internal review.”

The AG’s office declined to comment further and deferred to Mesa PD for all other questions. Lewis’ family has called for murder charges to be filed in the case, according to local Fox affiliate KSAZ.

A GoFundMe launched by the woman’s family describes Lewis as someone who “raised seven beautiful children, ranging from 12 years old to 2 years old.” The description says she “also leaves behind a husband who is now a widow[er] to 7 of his children as well.”

Mendivil told KPNX, “She’s a great person. Just lost for words right now.”