In the early morning hours of June 20, 2021, a fatal encounter unfolded outside a convenience store at the corner of Olive Street and Elwood Avenue in South Bend, Indiana. Charles Edwards, a 41-year-old man, was sitting in his car with a friend when a red Ford pulled up. The driver of the Ford went into the store, leaving a passenger, later identified as 21-year-old J'Ya McKelry, in the car.
Edwards' friend attempted to speak with McKelry, who was reportedly unreceptive.
As the driver of the Ford returned to the vehicle, the situation escalated dramatically. McKelry, who was in the passenger seat, allegedly retrieved a handgun. As their car began to back out, she is said to have fired a shot over the roof of the Ford in the direction of Edwards' friend, who had exited his own vehicle. More shots were then fired from inside the Ford, this time out of the driver's side window.
Amid the chaos, Charles Edwards was struck in the head. His friend rushed to his side to find him unresponsive. Police arrived on the scene and administered emergency care before Edwards was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later confirmed that a gunshot wound was the cause of death. The entire incident was captured on the store's surveillance video.
Following an investigation by the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit, J'Ya McKelry of Mishawaka was identified as the suspected shooter. She later surrendered to authorities without incident. McKelry was subsequently charged with murder and attempted murder, as well as a felony firearm sentencing enhancement. At the time of her arrest, she also had an outstanding warrant from Cook County, Illinois, for a probation violation. Investigators also announced they were seeking a white female and a Chrysler Aspen in connection with the incident.
