A Harford County jury acquitted a delivery driver of murder and manslaughter charges brought after the Bel Air resident fatally shot Meghan Riley Lewis, a transgender woman and LGBTQ+ advocate, last December.

Jurors did, however, convict Brian Matthew Delen, 48, on a second-degree assault charge and firearms offense after his lawyers argued at trial that he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors said they will seek the maximum sentence of 30 years for the combined misdemeanor convictions.

The shooting two days after Christmas in the parking lot of Lewis’ apartment complex sent shockwaves through the local LGBTQ+ community, where Lewis was remembered as a welcoming, helpful force. Fellow advocates described the killing on the 600 block of Churchill Road in Bel Air as a reason to continue their work of defending transgender rights, uplifting each other in the community and carrying on the legacy of the “bright light” they lost.

Police responded to the apartment complex at about 6:30 p.m. and found Lewis suffering from a single gunshot wound. Delen, who had called 911 to report he had “been attacked,” also remained on the scene, holding the handgun he had fired at Lewis, prosecutors said in a news release.

Delen told police he had been delivering food and asked Lewis something to the effect of, “Are you waiting for a food delivery, sir,” and Lewis took offense to Delen misgendering her, investigators wrote in charging documents. Delen drove away, but Lewis followed on foot. Delen stopped the car and re-engaged with Lewis, police wrote, and they got into a fight where Delen pulled out the handgun and fired a round.

Prosecutors noted that they called multiple witnesses who testified that they hadn’t heard an altercation before the gunshot, including one witness who testified he had seen the encounter, where Delen “just leaned out of his car and shot her.”

Delen’s legal team, public defenders Tara LeCompte and Katrina Smith, said in a statement that jurors had “recognized this case for what it was: a tragic situation of self-defense.”

“Everyone, including Mr. Delen has been saddened by Ms. Lewis’ passing,” they said in the written statement.

The defense had argued that Delen “made every effort to get medical help for Ms. Lewis,” introducing a recording at trial of his 911 call where he said he attempted to render aid to Lewis. Prosecutors, though, highlighted that a medical kit in his vehicle was undisturbed. They also noted that in addition to the handgun he fired at Lewis, Delen also had two knives and two loaded magazines.

“My heart goes out to Meghan’s family and all the people in our community that loved her while they mourn her loss, as I know this has been a long and emotional journey,” Harford State’s Attorney Alison Healey said in a statement. Healey, a first-term Republican, said her office is “disappointed and saddened” by the outcome but respects the jury’s decision.

Delen’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Harford Circuit Judge Yolanda L. Curtin, who presided over the trial, could issue sentences of up to 10 years for second-degree assault and 20 years for using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, a charge that also carries a five-year mandatory minimum sentence. Before Delen was acquitted of first- and second-degree murder, as well as voluntary manslaughter, prosecutors had filed notice that they would seek a sentence of life without parole.

Have a news tip? Contact editor Alazar Moges at amoges@baltsun.com.