In the small town of West Blocton, Alabama, a dispute between two men who knew each other escalated to a fatal conclusion on an August day in 2017. Kelvin O'Brian Jackson, a 31-year-old male, was shot and killed on August 17, 2017. Born on November 15, 1985, Jackson was a resident of West Blocton, where he was known by the nickname 'Kelboo.' He was a husband and a father to three sons. He had attended West Blocton High School and worked in decorative concrete at the Alabama Pigment Company.
The events that led to Jackson's death stemmed from a series of hostile encounters with Travis Jermaine Holt. Jackson reportedly believed that Holt was withholding information about his wife regarding a domestic issue. On the day of the shooting, Jackson went to Holt's home, where an argument and a physical fight broke out between the two men.
Following the physical altercation, Holt, who was legally carrying a concealed firearm, drew his weapon. He then escorted Jackson to his vehicle, which had been left running, and demanded that he leave the property. According to testimony presented at trial, Jackson then reached into his own vehicle and told Holt that he was not the only one with a gun.
Believing he was in imminent danger, Holt fired his weapon, killing Jackson. He then immediately called 911 to report the incident. By the time police arrived three minutes later, Jackson was deceased. Holt was arrested that same day.
In July 2018, a Bibb County Grand Jury indicted Travis Jermaine Holt on a charge of murder. His trial took place in March 2022. After four days of testimony, the jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning a verdict of not guilty. The verdict was based on the claim of self-defense.
