Kelvin Rayvon James Jr., a 23-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on October 25, 2021, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Kelvin, affectionately known as "Woo," was born on May 26, 1998, and was a beloved member of his community. He graduated from East Forsyth High School in 2018, where he was an active football player, serving as a linebacker and quarterback. After graduation, Kelvin pursued various jobs and entrepreneurial ventures, including landscaping, which he was passionate about. He also enjoyed riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers, finding peace and happiness in these activities. Kelvin was a family man who cherished spending time with his loved ones, especially his nieces and nephews.
On the evening of October 25, 2021, Kelvin Rayvon James Jr. was involved in a verbal dispute with another male at the Rolling Hills Apartment complex in Winston-Salem. The argument escalated, leading to gunfire in the breezeway of one of the apartment buildings. During the altercation, Kelvin was shot, along with a 31-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl who were incidentally struck by the gunfire and were not targeted. The woman and the girl were taken to the hospital and were listed in stable condition. A family member attempted to drive Kelvin to seek medical help, but he succumbed to his injuries in the parking lot of a Wells Fargo Bank on N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The investigation into Kelvin's death revealed that the shooting was the result of the verbal dispute. The Winston-Salem Police Department has been actively seeking information from the public to aid in the investigation. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the case remains open. Kelvin's death marked the 33rd homicide in Winston-Salem in 2021, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2020.
