Probation Officer Killer: William Charles Lewis, East Point, Georgia Shootings---Cynthia Floyd Rolle, Rosa Lewis
William Charles Lewis was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the 2001 murders of Cynthia Floyd Rolle and Antonio Stephney in East Point, Georgia. During the series of shootings, Lewis also shot Roger Orr and Rosa Lewis, both of whom survived.
At first, detectives thought the shootings were unrelated until they discovered similar notes signed "Jack" at the crime scenes. Investigators later developed lip prints from the notes, helping link William Charles Lewis to the attacks.
All clues led detectives to William Charles Lewis. They determined that Lewis wanted revenge after his wife, Rosa Lewis, left him. To instill fear and cause emotional distress, he killed her best friend and co-worker, Cynthia Floyd Rolle. Cynthia and Rosa were both probation officers.
William Charles Lewis was a charismatic man who often portrayed himself as a Christian. In reality, he had multiple affairs and, behind the scenes, was abusive to his wife.
Cynthia Floyd Rolle became a target because William Charles Lewis blamed her for encouraging Rosa to leave him.
History & Tidbits
The William Charles Lewis case was previously featured on several true crime television series, including:
- Forensic Factor---"Jack"
- Nightmare Next Door---"Jack Be Deadly"
- The FBI Files---"Sniper at Home"
- Fatal Attraction---"Shooting Spree"
The case later aired on Investigation Discovery's Murder by Numbers in the episode "Count the Bodies." I was invited to participate in that production but was unable to make the trip.
Each documentary explores the case from a different perspective. As I recall, the Forensic Factor episode focused primarily on Cynthia Floyd Rolle's story, while another documentary examined the case through the experiences of survivor Roger Orr.
Years later, I was invited to appear on TV One's Fatal Attraction, which also featured the William Charles Lewis case. The episode, titled "Shooting Spree," focused primarily on the relationship between Rosa Lewis and William Charles Lewis, approaching the case from the perspective of a relationship that turned deadly.
TV One's Fatal Attraction Episode Description
"When probation officer Cynthia Rolle is found shot dead in her own driveway, police fear that a vengeful probationer might be on the loose. But before detectives can investigate further, the killer makes it clear that she was only the first victim in a string of shootings that leaves a small town terrified."