Who was Danny Kelly Jr? Maryland boxer, 30, shot dead in front of girlfriend, 3 kids
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND: Danny Kelly Jr, a professional boxer from Maryland, was murdered in front of his three kids and girlfriend in a possible road rage shooting on Christmas Eve, police said. Danny Kelly Jr., 30, was a resident of Clinton, Md. Preliminary probe revealed that Kelly was driving to a holiday gathering with his children and girlfriend in nearby Temple Hills on Friday afternoon, December 24, when someone pulled up a vehicle next to their SUV and a suspect inside the car opened fire.
Kelly was found unconscious in the driver's seat of the SUV. He had been hit by multiple bullets, Prince George’s County Police Department announced in a statement on Saturday, December 25. Kelly was later pronounced dead. His girlfriend and kids are unharmed.
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Kelly, who was well-known in the boxing community, competed professionally in places like the Barclays Center and Maryland Live. He reportedly had a record of 10-3-1 on the professional circuit, including nine knockouts.
Police statement
"Detectives with our Homicide Unit are urging anyone who has information on a fatal shooting on Christmas Eve in Temple Hills to please come forward. Investigators are working to determine who shot and killed 30-year-old Danny Kelly Jr. of Clinton. He and his family were heading to a holiday dinner at the time of the shooting. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case," the statement reads. "On December 24, 2021, at approximately 4:40 pm, patrol officers were called to the 4400 block of St. Barnabas Road. They discovered Kelly unresponsive in the driver’s seat of an SUV suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital."
"The preliminary investigation revealed Kelly, his girlfriend and his three children were heading northbound on St. Barnabas Road. Preliminarily, it appears the suspect’s vehicle pulled up next to Kelly’s SUV and someone inside opened fire. No one else in Kelly’s SUV was injured. At this time, detectives are looking into whether this was possible road rage. Detectives are working on identifying the suspect and the suspect vehicle," it adds.
“This is an absolutely heartbreaking loss for Mr. Kelly’s family and friends. He is not home with his loved ones today on Christmas who are now mourning his loss instead of celebrating the holiday. St. Barnabas Road is a heavily-travelled roadway. If any other drivers saw anything there on Christmas Eve or may have information that could help, please call us. You can stay anonymous. We are committed to providing answers to his family,” said Acting Major David Blazer of the Major Crimes Division.
The statement urged anyone with information to call detectives at 301-516-2512. "Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) Please reference case number 21-0059930," the statement reads.