By TYLER HOLMES
Homicide Watch Chicago
Alfondia Kelly with his cousin | Facebook
Alfondia Kelly was a motivational influence to do better for as long as his family and friends can remember. Putting those he cared about and his community first, his impact was a force to be reckoned with.
“I’ve known Al since I was 10 years old. I’m 36 now,” said Fernando Lowe, Kelly’s best friend. “He was one of the greatest guys in the world – he never did anything to anybody.”
The 44-year-old was cooking out in a vacant lot in the 6600 block of South Union Avenue late on June 27 when a black SUV drove by and opened fire. Kelly was struck in the armpit, and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, according to Chicago Police and the Cook Country medical examiner’s office.
Lowe had recently moved to Arkansas and was devastated by the news regarding his closest friend, referring to him as a peacemaker. “Al stopped a whole lot of stuff. He’d always break up fights,” Lowe remembered.
Whenever anyone saw ‘”Al” Kelly, a prominent smile was always beaming on his face.
“He was just a joy to be around,” Lowe said. “I went wherever he went. He was always there; I never left his side.”
Kelly would often gather the neighborhood kids and take them to the local park so they could safely play together. These trips typically ended with Kelly purchasing ice cream for all of the children before making sure they returned home.
“A lot of people graduated from high school because of Al,” Lowe said. “He always kept us motivated and to keep going. If we’d give up or put our heads down he’d always make us keep our heads up.”
A candlelight vigil was held in his honor on June 28.
“He was a motivator. I used to bring my report card around to Al and he’d tell me, ‘you can do better.’ He kept me on my toes and never let me slip. I was on the honor roll and part of the National Honors Society because of him.”
Kelly is survived by six children.
As of early this week, no arrests have been made in the case.