What happened to Andre Montgomery Jr? On the evening of December 19, 2018, Andre Montgomery Jr., the grandson of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was shot and killed in his home in Montgomery, Alabama. The 17-year-old was found dead by his mother, who had just returned home from work.
The shooting left the Montgomery family in shock and disbelief, as they struggled to understand what had happened to their beloved son and grandson.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, there were many questions about the circumstances surrounding Andre’s death, and about the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
What happened to Andre Montgomery Jr?
In this article, we’ll explore the details of what happened to Andre Montgomery Jr., including the events leading up to his death, the investigation that followed, and the impact of this tragic loss on his family and community.
The Events Leading Up to Andre Montgomery Jr.’s Death
Andre Montgomery Jr. was a junior at Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He was known for his outgoing personality, his love of sports, and his commitment to helping others.
On the evening of December 19, Andre was at home with his mother, who had just returned from work. His grandmother, Christine King Farris, the sister of Martin Luther King Jr., was also staying with the family at the time.
At around 10:00 pm, there was a knock at the door. Andre went to answer it, and shortly thereafter, his mother heard gunshots. She ran to the front door and found her son lying on the floor, bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency responders were called to the scene, but Andre was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Investigation into Andre Montgomery Jr.’s Death
The Montgomery Police Department launched an investigation into Andre Montgomery Jr.’s death, which was initially classified as a homicide. In the days following the shooting, investigators interviewed witnesses, combed through evidence, and worked to piece together what had happened that night.
One of the key pieces of evidence in the case was surveillance footage from the home’s security system. The footage showed two masked individuals approaching the front door and knocking, before forcing their way into the home and shooting Andre.
Based on the evidence and witness statements, investigators were able to identify two suspects in the shooting: 16-year-old Javon Thomas and 17-year-old Yashawn Kelly.
Both suspects were arrested and charged with murder. They were held in the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Facility, and their cases were eventually transferred to adult court.
The death of Andre Montgomery Jr. sent shockwaves through the Montgomery community, as well as the wider civil rights community. The Montgomery family released a statement expressing their shock and grief at the loss of their beloved grandson.
“Words cannot express the grief our family feels at the loss of our beloved Andre,” the statement read. “He was a bright light in our lives, and his loss is felt deeply by all who knew and loved him.”
The shooting also highlighted the ongoing problem of gun violence in the United States, particularly in communities of color.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were more than 38,000 gun-related deaths in the United States in 2019, including more than 14,000 homicides.
The Montgomery family has been active in advocating for stronger gun control measures in the wake of Andre’s death. They have also worked to raise awareness about the impact of gun violence on families and communities.