On February 16, 2011, 15-year-old Andrake D. Kelley was fatally shot by his 16-year-old brother, Andrew Kelley, outside of an Easton Town Center store in Columbus, Ohio. The incident occurred following an argument between the brothers and another group of young people at an Apple store, which escalated outside. Andrew claimed that during the altercation, he felt threatened and fired shots into the air in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
According to his statement, as he was doing this, someone allegedly hit his arm, causing the shot that fatally struck Andrake in the head.
After the shooting, Andrake was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he remained in critical condition for several days before succumbing to his injuries. Andrew Kelley was subsequently charged with murder, and the Franklin County prosecutor sought to have him tried as an adult due to the severity of the incident. Initially, Andrew was held without bond, and the case received significant attention from the local community and media.
In May 2011, Andrew Kelley pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and robbery in connection to the shooting. He received a 12-year prison sentence as part of a plea agreement. The tragic incident was made more poignant by the fact that this was an act of fraternal violence, leaving the family grieving the loss of one son while facing the incarceration of another. The case highlighted issues of youth violence and access to firearms, which continue to be a concern in many communities across the United States.
