Police in Elmira, New York have made an
arrest in the shooting death of gay rights supporter Clinton “Billy”
Lewis, WBNG channel 12 reported.
Twenty-year-old Louis M. Duffy of
Horseheads, a town that borders Elmira, was arrested on Sunday in
connection with Lewis' early Sunday death.
Police responding to a shooting report
found Lewis' remains in his home, which is located across the street
from the gay bar and club Chill, which he owned and operated.
Lewis, who had helped organize local
gay pride events in the past, was pronounced dead at the Arnot Ogden
Medical Center a short time later.
Duffy, who has been charged with Second
Degree Murder, has been arraigned and is being held without bail.
Investigators divulged few details
about the murder, but said there was no evidence of a break-in and
that the two men were acquaintances. One paper, the Elmira
Star-Gazette, reported that Lewis did not live alone.
Shocked friends mourned Lewis' death
outside Chill on Sunday.
“He was a dear friend,” said Alexis
Franchi of Elmira. “He helped me out, and helped my little brother
out. He was a good guy. He opened his door to anyone who needed
help.”