On a tragic Wednesday evening, March 6, 2024, 18-year-old model and beautician Kelvi McCray was killed in a murder-suicide by her 19-year-old ex-boyfriend, Keisean Shaw. McCray was on a FaceTime call with friends when the incident occurred in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The West Palm Beach Police Department responded to a shooting report at a local residence. A probable cause affidavit reveals that McCray had gunshot wounds to her head, neck, and back. Police also found Shaw with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head inside the same residence.
Both McCray and Shaw were rushed to a hospital. McCray succumbed to her injuries, and Shaw, initially charged with first-degree murder, died the next day, ending all legal proceedings against him. The dreadful event was partially witnessed by three of McCray’s friends during a FaceTime call. One of them saw Shaw shoot McCray and later identified him in a police lineup.
The day before the fatal incident, McCray had dialed 911 to report that Shaw had strangled her, aimed a gun at her head, and briefly detained her against her will. She tried to flee in a car, but Shaw jumped onto the windshield, causing it to break. Court records confirm that Shaw was facing charges of false imprisonment, aggravated assault, battery, and several other offenses related to this incident. Police had been looking for him at the time of the shooting.
McCray and Shaw had been involved in a relationship for about a year before she decided to terminate it. Shaw, however, continued to live in the same house as McCray after their breakup, as she had allowed him to stay due to his lack of alternative housing.
Ricky Aiken, McCray’s uncle, remembers her as an “intelligent” young woman with a “flair for life.” He underscored her entrepreneurial spirit, beauty, and intelligence, pointing out the substantial loss her family and community are experiencing.
The police have categorized the case as a murder-suicide. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of domestic violence leading up to the fatal incident.
McCray, known for her modeling work, had a significant following on social media, where she often shared snippets of her life and career. Her untimely death leaves a void in her family and the community, raising questions about the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
