Waco arrests 20-year-old and 19-year-old in city's first homicide after midday shooting

Waco Police Department arrested 20-year-old Reginald Lewis Jr. and 19-year-old Savannah Birdwell on Feb. 27 after officers responding to a midday shooting found a 21-year-old man shot at the intersection of 11th Street and Clay Avenue, police said. "Lewis Jr. faces a murder charge, while Birdwell is charged with failure to report a felony and tampering with evidence," the department said, calling the case the city’s first homicide investigation of 2026.

Officers were dispatched around 12:23 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 to a call at 11th and Clay, where they discovered the wounded 21-year-old male, according to police reports. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was later pronounced deceased at that facility; Waco Police Department said the victim's identity will be released at a later date, and next of kin has been notified.

Authorities identified the suspects as residents of Waco. Reginald Lewis Jr., 20, is charged with murder. Savannah Birdwell, 19, is charged with failure to report a felony and tampering with evidence. The reports do not specify whether either suspect was arrested at the scene or detained later, only that both were taken into custody in connection with the investigation.

Waco Police Department characterized the incident as the city’s first homicide investigation of 2026 and said the investigation is ongoing. At this point police have not released the victim’s name, the type of weapon involved, a stated motive, whether any additional suspects are being sought, or which hospital received the victim. Booking details, bond amounts, and court dates for Lewis Jr. and Birdwell have not been made public.

Detectives continue to work the case while Waco PD coordinates notifications to the victim’s family and gathers evidence from the scene at 11th Street and Clay Avenue. Police reiterated that the investigation remains active and that additional information, including the victim’s identity, will be released when appropriate.