In the city of Charlottesville, Virginia, a young man's life was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence. On the afternoon of March 4, 2023, 20-year-old Justice Kegan Kilel, a male resident of Gordonsville and a graduate of Fork Union Military Academy, was inside the Sunshine Mini Mart on Cherry Avenue when he was fatally attacked. The incident unfolded when two individuals entered the store and assaulted Kilel while he was making a purchase. During the altercation, gunshots were fired, and Kilel was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation into the homicide led to the swift identification and arrest of two suspects. Nineteen-year-old Nasier McGhee was located at an apartment complex in Albemarle County and initially charged with malicious wounding. A 17-year-old male juvenile was also taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Due to his age, the juvenile's name was not publicly released. Investigators believe the attack stemmed from an ongoing dispute between the suspects and the victim.
As the legal process moved forward, the charges against McGhee were upgraded. The then 20-year-old was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, making him the second individual to face a homicide charge in this case. Ultimately, Nasir Floyd McGhee pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Commonwealth's Attorney noted that while McGhee did not fire the fatal shots, his participation in the violent assault warranted a significant prison sentence.
The third individual involved, Orlando Allen Jr., also faced justice for his role in the murder of Justice Kilel. Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to 43 years in prison, with 20 years suspended, leaving an active sentence of 23 years. The Commonwealth's Attorney highlighted the brutality and violence of the crime as a factor in the significant sentence imposed by the court.
