Man Shot During Robbery Dies
The store the day after the robbery.
- Print print this page
- Discuss 32 comments, Blog about
Advertisement
A 78-year-old man shot while trying to defend his wife in an attempted armed robbery at a Lakeview convenience store died Friday.
Angus "Gene" Kelly, 78, had been at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill since the incident June 28.
Kelly was shot in the chest during an exchange of gunfire with the suspects in the attempted armed robbery at the Exxon Short Stop and Food Mart on U.S. 1 near Lakeview. Kelly was there to pick up his wife, Grace Kelly, who worked at the store. She was struck in the arm, and one of the suspects was hit in the face.
Capt. Richard Talbert, of the Moore County Sheriff's Office, said it was his understanding that the charge of murder against all four suspects would be brought before a grand jury on Monday.
Four suspects - Randy Joel Williams, 17, Paris Yusef Mack, 17, Leroy Richard Medley Jr., 20, all of Southern Pines, and Demarcus James Dennison, 18, of Polkton - have each been charged with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and first-degree kidnapping.
Mark Metcalf, a family friend, called Gene Kelly a "fixture in the community," and said his death was a great loss personally and for the community.
"He was one of those guys in a (Norman) Rockwell painting, who are slowly fading away," Metcalf said. "This community is stunned right now, but you will see that it will pull together and Gracie will get through this. We'll make sure of that."
A fund for the family has been set up through the First Baptist Church of Vass. Contributions can be sent to P.O. Box 457, Vass, NC 28394.
Contact Tom Embrey by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.
More like this story
Advertisement
Comments
AbdominalDohMan 2 years, 10 months ago
This is horrible news. I hope they put those THUGS away for lfe!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pilotreader 2 years, 10 months ago
Oh what heartbreaking news. RIP Mr. Kelly. I hope those pieces of trash never see the outside of a jail again!
Tarheelgal 2 years, 10 months ago
Thoughts and prayers are with the Kelly family! They should just turn the little b@stards over to the Kelly family and let them deal out justice instead of us taxpayers giving them 3 hots and a cot and medical care etc until god knows when they decide to try them!! Shoot them now say taxpayers dollars!!!
None 2 years, 10 months ago
A very tragic event to say the least. Our prayers and condolences to the Kelly family. Our county has lost one of our own to a senseless crime. God Bless.
RmeMP 2 years, 10 months ago
to all the bleeding heart, anti death penalty freaks out there:
i hope you're happy - now instead of exterminating these thugs, we get to pay for them to live behind bars for the rest of their lives...
my heart breaks for you grace, remember the good times and hang in there the best you possibly can; his death was not in vain, it was his love for you that brought him to this untimely ending :(
fwanko 2 years, 10 months ago
RIP Mr Kelly.
I say fry them!!
greentara13 2 years, 10 months ago
My heartfelt prayers for the Kelly family! I am so sorry for your loss.
greentara13 2 years, 10 months ago
I do hope this means that the four involved will all be charged with murder now. This is so tragic and sad.
Amazed 2 years, 10 months ago
@ greentara13: from the 3rd paragraph: "The spokesman said it was his understanding that the charge of murder against all four suspects would be brought before a grand jury on Monday."
sfavela 2 years, 10 months ago
The Knight in Shining Armor died a noble death. I think we all prayed he'd recover and face these morons in court. May justice prevail and these morons ROT in jail - better yet - die horrible deaths while incarcerated and NOBODY sees a thing! They don't deserve to live. I'm sure if Mr. Kelly hadn't done what he did his wife wouldn't be alive today.
Arestorer 2 years, 10 months ago
Everyone around here loved the Kelly's. God bless all of you. I for one beleive in the death penelty....USE IT!!!!
my3cents 2 years, 10 months ago
GET A JOB, I WORK FOR WHAT I HAVE, YOU CAN TOO! I AM SCRAPING FM PAY CK TO PAY CK BUT HAVEN'T ROBBED OR STOLEN. I DO WITHOUT AND EAT PEANUT BUTTER AN JELLY WHEN I HAVE TO. I DO WITHOUT NEW CLOTHES SO MY CHILDREN CAN HAVE WHEN I DON'T. I'VE BEEN A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE THAT COULD NOT GET FOOD STAMPS OR FREE LUNCH MAKING $9.25 AN HR AND I STILL DIDN'T HAVE TO STEAL, I WORKED TWO MORE JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO NOT HAVE TO WORK THREE JOBS AND I DIDN'T DO IT SO THAT SOME THUGS COULD TAKE IT FROM ME, MY HEART DOES NOT BLEED FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO WORK OR CHOOSE TO LIVE OFF THE WELFARE MY HARD EARNED DOLLAR IS PROVIDING FOR CHILDREN YOU AREN'T PROVIDING FOR, SO STOP MULTIPLYING, TAKE BIRTH CONTROL. I AM A WHITE FEMALE (CONSIDERED A MINORITY) BUT NEVER HAD ANYTHING FREE! TO ALL THE THUGS; GET A FREAKING JOB!!!
recondo 2 years, 10 months ago
My Sincerest Condolences to Ms Grace and the rest of Genes Family. I Will always remember Gene as the Gentle man he was. Now Maureen Krueger Its time to go to work and earn your pay check. I know the two younger ones dont qualify for the death penalty but life in prison without possiblilty of parole is certainly allowed. i as a voter and citizen of moore county respectfully request you pursue the death penalty for the older two and so help me if you or your office try to do a plea deal for anything less i personally will lead the campaign to get you voted out of office the next election. so far from what i have seen from you and your office i have not been impressed so please in this case do the right thing..........
CNMT 2 years, 10 months ago
My prayers go out to the entire Kelly family. As to the 4 young men in jail, I will refrain from commenting on what their punishment should be...let justice run it's course and pray for the right decisions there too. I am not sure that any of the 4 of them have what it takes to realize that they took a man's life...a courageous man who was trying to protect his wife from harm. Rest in Peace, Angus. And to Grace....one day at a time, one foot in front of the other....God will get you thru this. You are in my prayers!
eflat7 2 years, 10 months ago
He died protecting the woman he dedicated his life to. Doesn't get more honorable than that.
ASU88 2 years, 10 months ago
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kelly family. Mrs. Kelly the community as well as your family will stand by your side in your time of trouble and sorrow. We will also stand by you when these young punks are placed on trial and if allowed we will stand by you when the justice system prevails and these punks are sentenced to death! I wish they could re=work the cannons on the west side of the old courthouse and we could stage a capitol punishment event for all of the future/potential punks,thugs who prey on honest, God fearing, hard working folks! I hope the justice system here in Moore County honors the life and actions of Mr. Kelly by ending the lives of these scumbag!
happiechristie 2 years, 10 months ago
Mrs. Grace and Family, I am so sorry!!!!!!!! You all are in my prayers, God Bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bflat 2 years, 10 months ago
Gene loved music and was always with Grace at different music events. I had the pleasure of getting to know him, and I used to sit close to her in church. Gene was a very fine person and Grace too. My thoughts and prayers to the entire Kelly family....
plankroad2003 2 years, 10 months ago
Well like CNMT's thoughts were, I will refrain from saying what their punishment should be. Most of it would not be fit to print, and many of you are already thinking it with me anyway. My prayers go out to Mr. Kelly's family and Grace.
newstime 2 years, 10 months ago
So sorry to hear the sad news. Deepest sympathy to the Kelly family.
ASU88 2 years, 10 months ago
@Flactem Don't forget The Rev Barber from NC N double "A" CP. No profiling here just stating the damn facts folks! We need to get some trials going here in Moore Co....nursing home shooting, Pinecrest asst Principal shooting, etc.. What is the hold up with these cases? In honor of Mr Kelly go out and take a conceal carry class and pay the $90.00 to the Sherriff's Department to receive conceal carry permit. If anyone needs funding assistance for this permit I'm willing to help as many folks as I can. Arm yourself and let's retake our community's sense of safety! I can promise you if we do not protect ourselves and love ones like Mr. Kelly did our community will continue to be held at bay by the thugs/want to be gangsters. I see another robbery in Robbins on Friday. All right Northern folks in Moore I know for a fact a lot of folks in Robbins area stay locked and loaded so keep you eyes out for the infestation of thugs in your fine town and we folks in Carthage will push for the ground breaking of the new/larger detention center. Remember <"head shot or center of mass" will rid the county of these scumbag types should you be at fear for your life or loved ones life or the life of another!
billhinton 2 years, 10 months ago
I am so sorry for the family, friends and the community. He was a brave man protecting his wife. Mr. Kelly set the example of being brave and protecting his family at all costs. He was and is a hero.
stephen 2 years, 10 months ago
Yep - lets put them in jail where they can terrorize & brutalize the non-violent drug offenders we've incarcerated.
htsmaque 2 years, 10 months ago
Embry: I know it won't happen, but how interesting and revealing it would be to see a follow up story on the path that took these 4 miscreants from birth, until this most unfortunate incident. My guess is a litany of textbook failed parenting. News flash-"the street" is no place to raise your kids, and "the village" isn't supposed to (unless you are making a good-faith effort & need some help). This was no different than a pack of dogs running wild, and the end result pretty much the same.
wixie 2 years, 10 months ago
I think we need to go back to public hangings for scumbags like this! Shame that a man gets put into a position that he has to defend his wife against thugs that wont go work, Mr. Kelly has a wife that is still working at her age and these young punks are out stealing from them.
None 2 years, 10 months ago
ASU88 ~ "we folks in Carthage will push for the ground breaking of the new/larger detention center."
I'm not sure how many remember Shelly and Diane Chalfinch who was butchered by David Junior Brown Jr. at the singles quarters in Pinehurst? Once he was convicted beyond any reasonable doubt, he was shipped to death row in Central Prison - convicted defendants of capitol crimes are shipped out and not held in the Gold Bar Hilton. David Junior Brown stayed on Death Row for 20 years for the brutal murder of a young mother and her 7 year old daughter. He was finally put to death - with a needle in his arm. I won't go into the gory details but that murderer was appointed several attorneys who appealed his conviction too many times to count over the course of 20 years. The law was on his side and his rights were protected to the letter of the law.
SCCstudent was chaistised and ridiculed for saying, "those four ciminals rights will be protected by our laws". Sadly, how true a statement.
They will be cared for while incarcerated, appointed attorney(s) to represent their rights, have 3 meals a day 2200-2500 calories per day, receive medical care, clean clothes, and live to see the light of another day. And - we will pay for all of their care and legal fees!
So why not build a bigger, nicer, better, more comfortable, state of the art facility for murders? Maybe add feather beds, arts and crafts, personal hygene care products, daily family visitation to keep in touch with family and other like minded criminals? Makes me sick to my stomack.
I hope that like Diane and Shelly Moore County never forgets what those four men did to the lives of the Kelly Family and Moore County. And once convicted - shoot them in the head! People like them have no reason to take another breath on this earth.
None 2 years, 10 months ago
And next time you see Maureen, give her pat on the back and a big hug. We will be paying defense attorneys to challenge everything she does in court and the court proceedings. Maureen ~ you have my support. Go get'em.
john316 2 years, 10 months ago
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
john316 2 years, 10 months ago
Ezekiel 35:11 Therefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy HATRED against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee.
This is a very sad and tragic thing that has happened,but we must get this hatred that we have out of our hearts.
Bflat 2 years, 10 months ago
Mr. Kelly only had one lung, from what locals have said. After the shooting, his spleen had to be removed and he was also in an induced coma. It is so sad that his life came to an end like this. He was a fine person. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to his entire family and Grace.
Graceforall 2 years, 10 months ago
My deepest and sincere thoughts and prayers are with Grace Kelly and her family. Gene was a great man who was loved by all.
I do not think that Gene would be pleased with all the remarks that are being posted. I think the Gene Kelly I knew would rather that you spend your time and energy praying for his family and even praying for the souls of the very ones that took his life. YES, everyone wants to see justice and we can only trust that the courts and jury will do the right thing and these men will pay for the crime they committed. But some of these posted remarks are not what the Kelly family would want anyone to be saying. GOD in HIS love, grace and forgiveness is sufficient to sustain the Kelly family and it is sufficient even for the ones that committed this horrible crime.
RIP Gene ... John 3:16
theonewithsense 2 years, 10 months ago
bandi69 says...
The good news is they will be put away for LIFE and made to be someone's girl friend.and that is better than death because to have someone back there other than a doctor. is humilation enough.
typically violent murderers and armed robbers are the aggressors in prison. Yes these boys are young, but their crime puts them on top of the prison hierarchy. They get a couple of years in the county detention center to learn the game, then gladiator camp then many years in adult prison. It's the weak drug users and sex crime inmates that become someones girl.
None 2 years, 10 months ago
"They get a couple of years in the county detention center", once convicted if they are under 21 they will enter the North Carolina Department of Corrections as RYO's (Regular Youthful Offenders) as opposed to CYO's, and will be sent to a medium or maximum prison with razor wire and guard towers. After they become 21 they will go to an adult prison and will probably "check off" until they can go into general population. They will spend no more time in county custody once they are assigned by the court to the NCDOC. They become wards of the state and not the county. In prison, depending on their "canteen" allotment, will depend on their level of protection or lack thereof. The best thing that could happen to them is to borrow money the first day, a sock - Dee size batteries from a radio, three sheets, and 3 am bedcheck. As they say in a prison dorm ~ it's a done deal.
sunshine5888 2 years, 10 months ago
Sunshine5888
I do not know the Kelly's but have had them in my prayers!! This is so tragic and heartbreaking! For Grace Kelly to even be working at her age is very admirable. My friend was shot and killed in Rockingham at the age of 49. Her husband is alive with half a bullet beside his heart. The man didn't know them AND doesn't even know why he shot them!!! That was 10 years ago ,and I remember it like it happened yesterday. Mr. Kelly sounds like a very fine man and gave his life to protect his wife's!! He will now be an angel in heaven watching down on his family! I agree with others that this crime of these young men should be dealt with accordingly. Instead of badgering innocent people, the DA needs to focus on a REAL crime!!
shirleyfrye 2 years, 10 months ago
toda... I am Shirley Frye and you commented about Diane and Christine...they were my sister-in-law and neice..yes it did take 20 yrs, and something like this happening again to some other poor family just makes my blood boil...I hope these four young boys get what they deserve...all four should be put to death.. no matter what age they are...they have taken a life and ALL should be punished to the full extent of the law, and hopefully it will not take the 20 years that it took my family and all the years we had to go through it...no one should have to go through such an event that my family had to go through.....
STHRNSLV 2 years, 10 months ago
For those who knew Mr. Kelly I can understand your anger and frustration. I'm new to the area (from WA) and have been a hunter for more than 60 years. I don't understand the significant number of posts from individuals promoting the carrying of concealed weapons in an effort to "protect and take back the community". This isn't 1820 and you are not the militia. We have hired and trained a professional police force who we've empowered to bring criminals to justice - without undue bias or emotion. Why arm an angry citizenry with no training in law enforcement and expect that more tragedies like this wouldn't happen? This man acted on behalf of his wife and paid the ultimate price. How is it possible for any of you not to see how the best way to honor his memory is to make sure incidents like this one happen less often? The proactive and logical way would be to install a direct emergency link (floor button or switch) from the business to the police department. These are inexpensive and a very effective deterrent against crime. Guns are for the responsible citizen. If you are arming yourself with the intention of "protecing the community" then you're carrying for the wrong reason. That my friend is not your job.