Heavyweight Boxer Danny Kelly Jr. Killed In Shooting On Christmas Eve

This holiday weekend, calamity struck the boxing world as a heavyweight professional boxer, Danny Kelly Jr., was shot and killed on Christmas Eve.

In his native Prince George’s County, Maryland, authorities are investigating it as a possible road rage incident.

Gone Too Soon

According to reports, the 30-year-old and his family were traveling to a holiday event when the suspect’s vehicle pulled up next to the Kelly family vehicle and opened fire. Prince George’s County Police said that it didn’t appear his girlfriend or three children were hurt in the shooting.

“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,” said a police statement. “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.

Holiday Tragedy

“A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case,” the statement continued. “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.”

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“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.”

When The Unthinkable Happens

According to reports, answering officers found Kelly unconscious in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Currently, detectives were investigating the tragedy as a potential road rage incident and working to identify a suspect and vehicle, according to Prince George’s County police.

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“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,” said acting Maj. David Blazer of Prince George’s County Police Department’s Major Crimes Division in a statement.

“St. Barnabas Road is a heavily traveled 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.”

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Police are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the shooting.

Kelly was from Clinton, Maryland, and was a staple in the boxing circles around the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions. In 14 fights, Kelly was 10-3-1, with nine knockouts.

Out of the ring since October 2019, Kelly’s three career defeats all came by decision against elites like Adam Kownacki, Stephen Shaw, and Avery Gibson.

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