An 18-year-old model and beautician, Kelvi McCray, was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, 19-year-old Keisean Shaw, in a murder-suicide while she was on a FaceTime call with friends.
The West Palm Beach Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at a home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday evening March 6, 2024.
McCray suffered gunshot wounds to her head, back, and neck, according to a probable cause affidavit. Shaw was discovered inside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Both people were transported to a hospital, where McCray died from her injuries. Shaw, initially surviving and charged with first-degree murder, died the following day, terminating any legal proceedings against him.
The incident was partially witnessed by three of McCray’s friends during a FaceTime call. One friend saw Shaw shoot McCray and later identified him in a police photo lineup.
On the day before the shooting, McCray had called 911 to report that Shaw had strangled her, pointed a gun at her head, and briefly held her against her will.
She attempted to escape in a car, during which Shaw threw himself on the windshield, causing it to shatter. He faced charges of false imprisonment, aggravated assault, battery, and several other offenses in connection to this incident, as confirmed by online court records.
McCray and Shaw had been in a relationship for about a year before she decided to end it. Despite the breakup, Shaw, not accepting the end of the relationship, continued to live in the same home as McCray. She had allowed him to stay as he had no other place to live.
Kelvi McCray is remembered by her uncle, Ricky Aiken, as an “intelligent” person with a “flair for life.” He emphasized her entrepreneurial spirit, beauty, and intelligence, highlighting the profound loss felt by her family and community.
The police have classified the case as a murder-suicide. This investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of domestic violence leading up to the fatal incident. The community and McCray’s family are left to mourn the loss of a promising young woman, raising questions about the circumstances that led to this devastating event.
McCray, known for her beauty and modeling work, had a significant following on social media, where she shared aspects of her life and career.
