Boxer Shot and Killed in Front of Children, Girlfriend on Christmas Eve

Sports

By Kelton Brooks Published: December 28, 2021

Boxer Shot and Killed in Front of Children, Girlfriend on Christmas Eve

Adam Kownacki, right, punches Danny Kelly during the fifth round of a boxing match Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in New York. Kownacki won the match. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

In Summary

Pro boxer Danny Kelly was reportedly fatally shot on his way to a holiday party in a possible road rage incident. The boxer was 30 years old.

Professional boxer Danny Kelly Jr. was killed on Christmas Eve in what police believe to be a road rage incident, but no suspect is in custody.

Kelly was on his way to a holiday dinner party with his girlfriend and his three children. The family was heading north in Prince George’s County when someone pulled up right next to their car, fired multiple rounds and sped away.

The children in the vehicle were 4, 7 and 9 years old.

When police arrived at the 4400 block of St. Barnabas Road, they discovered Kelly unresponsive in the driver seat of an SUV. Kelly later died at the hospital.

Tragic story || Danny Kelly Jr. was a father, a role model & a pro boxer. He was shot and killed in a possible road rage incident #ChristmasEve in Temple Hills. His 3 kids, aged 4, 7, and 9, were in the car.

We spoke with his grandmother, his godmother, and his cousin. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/SEhC3z78un
— Evan Koslof (@ekoslof) December 26, 2021

The children and Kelly’s girlfriend did not receive injuries.

“At this time, detectives are looking into whether this was possible road rage,” a statement from the Prince George’s County Police Department read. “Detectives are working on identifying the suspect and the suspect vehicle.”

David Blazer, acting major of the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, also stated the news of the shooting death of Kelly.

“This is an absolutely heartbreaking loss for Mr. Kelly’s family and friends,” Blazer said. “He is not home with his loved ones today on Christmas who are now mourning his loss instead of celebrating the holiday.”

"They lost their father, and nobody knows why" || Family expresses heartbreak after Danny Kelly Jr., a pro #boxer was shot and killed while driving with family on #ChristmasEve. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/GdZc80YIFD
— Evan Koslof (@ekoslof) December 26, 2021

Kelly’s godmother spoke to WUSA-TV and said she has no idea why anyone would want to hurt him.

“The children loved him because he was playful,” his grandmother added, whose name was withheld. “We loved him because he was always there for all of us.”

Kelly had a 10-3-1 record as a professional circuit boxer, which included nine knockouts, according to BoxRec.

Police are offering a $25,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.

“You can stay anonymous,” Blazer said. “We are committed to providing answers to his family.”

Anonymous information can be given to Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477).