Charles Edward Lewis Jr., known affectionately as "Lil Charles," was a lively and creative young man with an infectious smile who loved to dance and make people laugh. A 25-year-old Black man, he was born on April 23, 1995, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to his parents, Charles Lewis Sr. and Felicia Hill-Lewis. From elementary school through his graduation from Robert A. Taft High School, he was known for his playful spirit. At Taft, he played both football and baseball, earning the nickname "Waterbug." After high school, he poured his energy into a burgeoning rap career, recording over 100 songs under various names, most recently as Lu Bundy. His family remembers him as a multifaceted musician, with some comparing his resonant music to artists like 2Pac. He was a devoted father to his daughter, Nae'omi, and a loyal family man who, according to loved ones, would never say "no" to anyone in need.
The late afternoon of Saturday, August 1, 2020, was tragically the last for Charles.
At around 5:20 p.m., he was shot multiple times at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Dantzler Drive in the Cincinnati suburb of Lincoln Heights. His parents believe he was returning home from a studio session and may have been followed. When deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, they found Charles grievously wounded. First responders rushed him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for surgery, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 7:25 p.m.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched a criminal investigation into the homicide. In the days and months that followed, however, investigators did not publicly identify any suspects or make any arrests in the case. The lack of answers has been agonizing for Charles's family, who have had to contend with social media speculation while grieving their profound loss. His parents have made repeated public pleas for anyone with information to come forward and break the silence surrounding their son's murder.
In their grief, Charles's parents have sought to create a positive legacy in his name. They announced plans to start the Lu Bundy Foundation, an organization aimed at providing a safe haven for up-and-coming artists so they would not have to resort to street life to pay for studio time. "He was a hell of a son, and a hell of an artist," his father, Charles Lewis Sr., said. His mother, Felicia, shared the deep pain of her loss, saying, "You know, we just don’t want no more violence, and I definitely don’t want nobody to feel what I feel." The family continues to keep his memory alive by playing his music.
A visitation and funeral service for Charles were held on Friday, August 14, 2020, at the Newcomer Funeral Home in Cincinnati, followed by his burial at Vine Street Hill Cemetery. At his gravesite, his parents have connected with other families who have lost children to gun violence, finding a small measure of community in their shared sorrow. They pass out flyers and embrace one another, supporting each other through an unimaginable journey.
As of July 2025, the murder of Charles Edward Lewis Jr. remains unsolved. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office confirms that the criminal investigation is still active. His family continues to hope that someone will find the courage to speak up. "We just need a few of those Hail Mary’s to come in and say what they know, say what they saw," his father pleaded. "Don’t be hiding around a gang or gun or Twitter page or Facebook page. Say what you know." Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section at 513-851-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
