Bobby Eugene Willis III, a 30-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on July 16, 2016, in Daytona Beach, Florida. The incident occurred at the Friend's Mart convenience store located at 518 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Willis had a concealed weapons license and was carrying a 9 mm pistol at the time of the incident. The confrontation that led to his death began with an argument inside the store between Willis and Ricky Kelly, a 34-year-old male with a criminal history.
The altercation escalated when Kelly waited outside the store for Willis to exit. As Willis stepped outside, Kelly shot him three times, once in the chest and twice in the leg. Despite being critically injured, Willis managed to draw his own weapon and return fire. The exchange resulted in a total of 21 shots being fired, with Kelly also sustaining injuries. He was shot twice, once in the abdomen and once in the penis, but survived the encounter.
Kelly fled the scene and sought medical attention at Halifax Health Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and was subsequently arrested. He was charged with first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The trial for Kelly began with testimonies and evidence presented, including surveillance footage from the store and the recovery of the firearms used in the shootout. Kelly's criminal background included a previous prison sentence for cocaine dealing and multiple mental health evaluations.
The case against Kelly was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Ryan Will and Derek Candela, while Kelly was defended by Assistant Public Defender Matt Phillips. The trial highlighted the violent nature of the confrontation and the tragic loss of life. Bobby Eugene Willis III's death was a significant event in the Daytona Beach community, drawing attention to issues of gun violence and the legal consequences of such actions.
