A Colorado man was sentenced to decades in prison after killing his wife’s cousin and attempting to shoot his estranged wife in a February 2024 attack.
Sentencing and Charges
Kelynn Lewis, 34, received 57 years in prison for second-degree murder and attempted murder after an Adams County jury convicted him of targeting his wife and her cousin, Vatrice Little.
The Attack
Prosecutors said the attack was triggered after Lewis’ wife texted him that he was not the biological father of one of their children. Later that day, Lewis forced his way into her apartment, brandished a handgun, and fired multiple times. Lewis’ wife fell to the floor and pretended to be dead, surviving the attack.
Vatrice Little, who stepped between Lewis and his wife to protect her, was fatally shot. The couple’s four children—ages 9, 5, 4, and 3—were present during the incident.
Heroism and Motive
District Attorney Brian Mason described Little’s actions as “nothing short of heroic,” noting she sacrificed her life to protect her cousin. Text messages from Lewis provided clear evidence of his motive and intent.
Lewis was arrested two days after the attack and convicted on February 13, 2026.
