In the spring of 2015, a violent exchange of gunfire shattered the evening calm in Hampton, Virginia, ultimately claiming the life of 24-year-old Keenan Elijahwa Kelly. On the evening of April 13th, occupants of two sedans, one dark-colored and one gold, became embroiled in a rolling gun battle in the 1600 block of East Pembroke Avenue. During the altercation, Kelly, who was an occupant in the dark-colored car, was struck by multiple bullets.
The chaos of the shootout spilled over,
injuring an innocent bystander. A 24-year-old woman, who was inside her home on Smiley Road, was struck by stray gunfire. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, at approximately 7:54 p.m., Keenan Elijahwa Kelly arrived at Sentara Careplex suffering from the severe gunshot wounds he had sustained.
Despite medical efforts, Keenan Elijahwa Kelly succumbed to his injuries and passed away at 7:45 p.m. on April 21, 2015. The Hampton Police Division investigated the incident as a homicide. Their investigation led to the arrest of 27-year-old Clyde Alonzo Lewis of Hampton on April 24, 2015. Lewis was charged with one count of murder, one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling, one count of shooting from a vehicle, one count of attempted maiming, and three counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Following his arrest, he was held in the Hampton City Jail.
