MISSOURI CITY, Texas – Friends and loved ones gathered over the weekend to celebrate the life of 47-year-old Shelly Perrault, the woman police say was shot and killed in Sugar Land by a man she was once in a relationship with.
Yellow and white balloons floated into the sky at Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City during a moving memorial organized by family members a moment her niece, Shatlin Rice, says brought some peace during a heartbreaking time.
“She was such a beautiful soul,” Rice said. “She was so funny, and we would always go out and have fun.”
According to Sugar Land Police, William Delawrence Lewis shot and killed Perrault on October 8 near Dairy Ashford Road. Investigators say Lewis then drove to Houston, where he fatally shot a mechanic shop owner and a witness before taking his own life.
Police have confirmed the shootings are connected. Lewis and Perrault were in a past relationship, though the family says they believed any tension between the two had been resolved.
“We didn’t really know much about this man,” Rice said. “We thought the situation was handled. We never feared for Shelly’s life.”
In an emotional interview with KPRC 2 News, Rice shared how her aunt had endured deep heartbreak long before her death.
“In 2018, her one and only son passed away. He was 21 years old,” Rice said. “From that point on, my aunt was just so broken. But she used her brokenness to help others and become a better person. That’s why everyone who met her says she was good because she turned her pain into purpose. She made a rainbow out of it.”
Perrault leaned heavily on her faith in the years that followed, strengthening her relationship with God and becoming a source of peace and love for those around her — especially her grandson, who Rice says is now leaning on the family for support.
“She built her faith to be stronger and stronger,” Rice added. “She just wanted peace. She was a peaceful lady.”
Rice said the family was surprised by the number of people who showed up to honor Shelly but not shocked. It was a glimpse, she said, of how many lives her aunt quietly impacted.
“She was like my second mom,” Rice said. “We want to carry on her kindness — help people, be sweet to people, just like Shelly would’ve done.”
The family is now working to start a foundation in Shelly’s name, a dream she had hoped to pursue while she was alive.
Rice also shared a message for the other families affected by the string of deadly shootings last week.
“I just want to apologize to the other families that are hurting. I know it wasn’t just our family. It’s heartbreaking. No one would ever think something this crazy could happen.”