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Community mourns death of 18-year-old fatally shot on Mardi Gras
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CROWLEY, La. (KLFY) -- Family, friends and loved ones of 18-year-old Josef Lewis came together to lay him to rest. The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said Lewis was shot and killed on Mardi Gras night in New Iberia.
The funeral was held at Israelite Baptist Church in Crowley, where people sang gospel music and paid tribute to Lewis. News 10 spoke with Josef's parents, Cheryl and Ivan Lewis, who said their son's life was taken way too soon.
"Joe was a loving kid, he was tenacious, he was determined, a hard worker and he loved his parents and his family, he was a protector, loved his church, loved his community and he loved giving back," Ivan said.
Josef graduated from Acadiana High School in May of 2024, and later pursued a career in welding, with plans to be an active member of the workforce.
Ivan, who is also the pastor at Israelite Baptist Church, said he will continue to seek justice for his son.
"We hope because of all of that that justice will be served for Josef, we're looking forward to living and moving on, but his last name and his memory will always be with us," said Ivan.
Cheryl said she has faith the community will continue to let his name live on for the rest of their lives.
"We shared Joe with the world and today the world responded to come here today to comfort our hearts," said Cheryl. "I see the young people with illustrations of him in necklaces, on T-shirts, on key rings, they promise to make sure his legacy does not die, but they will continue to march and behave in Joe's name and that's important to us".
Detectives with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office have not yet named any suspects in the shooting. If anyone has information, you are asked to contact 337-369-3714 or submit a tip here.