On Christmas Eve, 2020 Maebelle Cooper, a mother and grandmother was shot and killed in the front yard of her home on the 1500 block of Amos Avenue. The violent incident also injured Cooper’s daughter, Shawanda Lamones, Ralph Lamones Jr, and Ralph and Shawanda’s then-13-year-old daughter.
For the past six years, the family has sought justice for their 70-year-old matriarch while healing from their own wounds. At a press conference held today, Jul 31, 2026 Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor provided an update on the investigation which linked the perpetrators to a 2023 mass shooting that is considered the worst in Lakeland’s history with 11 men injured.
Taqiy Lewis was previously arrested in February 2025 and is serving a 30-year sentence in federal prison on charges of federal gun violations. The gun used in the shooting that left Cooper dead was found in Lewis’ possession during the investigation of the 2023 shooting.
According to Taylor, LPD recently presented evidence to a grand jury in Bartow to increase the indictments against Lewis, believed to be the one responsible for the fatal shots.
Lewis is now indicted for first-degree murder of Maebelle Cooper, attempted first-degree murder of Rob Lamones Jr., attempted first-degree murder of Shawanda Lamones, and attempted first-degree murder of their daughter.
LPD announced today that they arrested two more men on July 23 and charged them in connection with the Cooper case:
- Keovion Durham was charged with attempted first-degree murder.
- John Spates was charged with manslaughter.
Shawanda Lamones said she and her family are relieved, saying “This’ll never bring my mom back, but it does kind of give some kind of hope that this won’t happen to no one else’s family, like it happened to ours”.
One suspect, Carlos Morris, remains at large. Morris has an arrest warrant for attempted first-degree murder. He was last known to be living in the Lakeland area and has family ties in the city, according to LPD.
“It hurts to know that he hasn’t turned himself in, but I’m hopeful and grateful with the process that we have made, I believe that they’re gonna catch him. You can’t keep hiding,” said Lamones.
Taylor urged anyone who has information about Carlos Morris’ location to call (863) 834-6900. Reports can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-847. Persons making these tips are eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
Lamones acknowledged the support her family has received from the police department and the community.
“We are grateful to everyone who stood beside us over the years, including the investigators, the state attorney’s office, the former U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg, and our former NAACP president, Mr. Terry Coney, and also Mr. Rico Reed, and everyone in the community who’s never let this case be forgotten,” Lamones said.
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