In the spring of 2019, the life of Kelvin Bernard Bradford, a 49-year-old Black / African American male known affectionately to friends and family as "Big Man," was tragically cut short. On the evening of May 24, 2019, in his residence on the 400 block of Henry Street in Gadsden, Alabama, Bradford was fatally shot. Gadsden police officers responded to calls of gunfire and discovered him inside the home with a gunshot wound. Despite the immediate response from medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Born on April 12, 1970, Kelvin Bernard Bradford was a well-regarded member of his community. A 1988 graduate of Gadsden High School, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University in 1994. During his time in college, he became a member of the Gamma Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Bradford dedicated his career to education, holding various roles across Alabama where he was known to be a positive influence on many lives. He was also a member of Galilee Baptist Church and was recognized for his handyman skills, a trade he learned from his father.
In the wake of the shooting, the Gadsden Police Department launched a homicide investigation into Bradford's death. His passing was noted as one of several violent incidents that had occurred in Gadsden around that time, causing concern among community leaders and residents about a rise in local crime. Despite the ongoing investigation and pleas from law enforcement for anyone with information to come forward, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Kelvin Bernard Bradford. The case remains unsolved, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects.
