Henry Kelly | Homicide Watch DC

"Justice for Henry" Community Walk Postponed

Laura Amico — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 10:21:26 -0400

A community walk in memory of shooting victim Henry Kelly has been canceled due to weather, the organizer of the event said this morning.

The walk has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.

Kelly's family and friends, and others affected by his death, will pass out fliers with information about Kelly's case.

Kelly's mother, Juanita Coghill, hopes that the community outreach will help someone come forward with information leading to an arrest in her son's case.

On Henry Kelly's Birthday, "The Pressure is On" to Find his Killer

Laura Amico — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:58:36 -0400

On her son's birthday today, Juanita Coghill is not thinking about cake or presents. Henry Kelly has been dead almost seven months. With no suspect behind bars, Coghill is instead visiting his grave. And getting ready to launch an effort to help police find the person responsible.

"I want someone in court and charged," she said. "The goal is to put pressure. We're not going to let this pressure go. The pressure is on."

Kelly, who would be 21 years old today, was killed March 5 in a shooting in Southeast D.C.

Known to friends as "Swagg," Kelly was visiting with family on Buena Vista Terrace on March 5, Coghill said. His family became concerned when they heard gunshots shortly after Kelly left the apartment. A few hours later, their fears were realized when they heard that Kelly had indeed been struck by at least one of those gunshots.

Coghill said she believes someone in the neighborhood knows something about who killed Kelly. There's plenty of street rumor, she said, but MPD needs to hear that information in order for an arrest to be made.

"They need more people to speak up. It's very frustrating."

In an effort to aid the investigation, Coghill is raising money for a reward fund to supplement MPD's $25,000 reward. She hopes to add $10,000.

"We just assume he's on the street," she said of her son's killer.

On Saturday Coghill and others will be handing out fliers about Kelly in Southeast D.C. and asking people to go to police if they have any information. Those interested in helping with the effort can meet at Garfield Elementary School at 2 p.m., Coghill said. A small gathering, with a guest speaker and a prayer, is planned immediately following the canvassing (about 3:30 p.m.) at the corner of 30th Street and Buena Vista Terrace SE.

MPD's poster is below.

"Justice for Henry" Community Walk on Oct. 1

Laura Amico — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:32:41 -0400

A community walk to raise awareness for the case of homicide victim Henry Kelly is planned for Oct. 1, Kelly's mother says.

*Justice for Henry Walk* OCTOBER 1st, 2011 @ 2:00pm - To Bring Awareness!!
If you would like to join us as we walk and distribute fliers PLEASE contact Team Henry via email - justice4henry@gmail.com or by phone (202) 556-5629 with your name and contact number by Sept. 23, 2011. {Rain Date TBD}

All are invited to come as we UNITE for Henry a.k.a. "Swagg" @ 3:30pm
LOCATION: {The Corner of 30th Street & Buena Vista Terrace Street SE}
Your Presence will Strengthen the GOAL!!

Comment of the Day: A Mother's Search for Justice

Laura Amico — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:26:00 -0400

Nita wrote in today about Henry Kelly, reminding readers that his case is still open. The family has built a Facebook page in his memory, and in a search for justice.

Here's what Nita said:

Not a day go's by that me and my family dont think about my baby. The person/s responsible for my son's murder will be brought to justice. www.facebook.com/justice4henry We Love You "Swagg"

Comment of the Day

Laura Amico — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:56:33 -0400

This comment and image comes from Nita, who wrote in about Henry Kelly. She wrote:

Today marks 4 months to the day that my son 20 year old Henry Kelly was murderd in this city. I Love & Miss my son so much. Everyday is a struggle for me & my family wondering why, his young life had to be taken away. Like every parent or family member of a homicide victim the pain never ends.

Comment of the Day

Laura Amico — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:10:13 -0400

This comment of the day comes from Juanita, who wrote in response to a community discussion about violent youth. She said:

My son Henry D. Kelly was murdered on March 5, 2011 he was found shot to death in the rear of 3122 Buena Vista Terrace SE, still to this day the police have not made an arrest and I am ANGRY. I do not think parents should be held accountable for the crimes there children commit. I think laws need to be changed to tougher penalties. These juveniles and young black boys in this city are being allowed to commit numerous crimes and be released back on the streets to commit even more crimes. TOUGHER JAIL SENTENCES IS WHAT WE NEED! Most of these juveniles and young black boys in this city take the system for a joke.

Memorial for Henry Kelly

Laura Amico — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:11:29 -0400

Henry Kelly Buena Vista Terrace street shrine

Blog Washington's Other Monuments has photos today of a street shrine in memory of Henry Kelly. See more photos here.

Funeral Today for Henry Kelly

Laura Amico — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 09:39:35 -0500

Henry Kelly will be remembered today by family and friends at his funeral, one week after he was shot and killed in an alley in Southeast D.C.

From his obituary:

Friends may visit with the family Saturday, March 12 from 9 a.m. until time of service 11 a.m. at the Masters Touch Praise Ministries, 901 Southern Ave., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

MPD has not announced any arrests in the case.

How do you say goodbye to a life that was so young? RIP Lil Henry...less than a minute ago via TweetDeck♥Shawnte'♥
Freckle_licious

Henry Kelly Shot to Death in Night's Third Killing

Chris Amico — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 11:13:02 -0500

UPDATED: Twenty-year-old Henry Kelly of Southeast D.C. was the man killed near Buena Vista Terrace early Saturday morning, according to a Washington Post report.

The Post also is reporting that Kelly was shot, not stabbed as initially reported.

Police say a man died in a ~~stabbing~~ shooting in the 3100 Block of Buena Vista Terrace SE around 3:28 a.m., WUSA reports.

This death, according to the report, appears unrelated to the two women killed earlier Friday night.

Buena Vista Terrace SE is in Ward 8 and and MPD's Seventh District.

We will update this post as more information becomes available.