Darrick De'Angelo Kelly, a 21-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on January 2, 2021, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Darrick was a native of Danville, Virginia, and had resided in Guilford County for most of his life. He attended Dudley High School, where he played quarterback on the football team, and was a member of Shiloh Church of God In Christ. On the night of his death, Darrick was riding his dirt bike on Shaw Street when he was caught in the crossfire of a shooting.
He was shot and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The Greensboro Police Department quickly launched an investigation into Darrick's death, marking it as the first homicide of 2021 in the city. The incident occurred after a record-breaking year of 61 homicides in Greensboro in 2020. Despite the efforts of the police, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made. The police have not revealed a motive for the shooting, and the culprits are still at large. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives gathering more information and seeking leads from the community.
Darrick's family has been vocal in their plea for justice. His stepmother, Deshannon Kelly, expressed her grief and frustration, stating that Darrick was not bothering anyone and was simply enjoying his time riding his dirt bike. His grandmother, Racheal Washington, also made a public plea for help in finding the people responsible for her grandson's death. The family believes that Darrick was an innocent victim caught in a random shooting. They have held vigils and memorials in his honor, hoping to keep his memory alive and to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
The Greensboro City Council has acknowledged the challenges in addressing violence in the city, particularly with an understaffed and underfunded police department. Councilwoman Goldie Wells, who represents the district where Darrick was murdered, emphasized the need for more resources and community cooperation to combat such incidents. The Greensboro Police Department has offered a Crime Stoppers reward of up to $2000 for tips that lead to an arrest in Darrick's case. Despite the ongoing investigation and the family's efforts, justice for Darrick Kelly remains elusive.
