Family of young Jacksonville mother killed: 'You had no right to take our child from us'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of a young mother found shot dead in a car on the Westside on Saturday spoke out Monday, hours after the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of their daughter's suspected killer.

They tell us 24-year-old Kameron Holmes, who is now in police custody, and their daughter, 23-year-old Bria Kelsey, had a 3-year-old son together.

The family said Holmes and Kelsey were not a couple and only co-parented. On Saturday night, Kelsey was found shot dead in a car at Normandy Boulevard and Lenox Avenue. Police said Holmes originally told them a white male in a Honda had shot Kelsey.

"They were not together; they were basically co-parenting. My daughter worked at night and he would keep (the child) at night and when she was off during the day, Bria had him," said David Kelsey, Bria's father.

Bria worked at the McDonald's on Normandy Boulevard near Fouraker Road. The restaurant now has "We love you Bria, RIP" on the sign out front.

Debbie Moreland, the owner/operator of that store, sent us this statement Monday:

"Bria was a wonderful employee. She worked for me for four years, and was recently promoted to shift manager. She had a bright career ahead of her, and our whole McDonald’s family is very saddened by this tragic situation. Bria was dedicated to her work and most importantly to her young son, who was everything to her. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with Bria’s family and friends right now."

Kelsey's sister said that the family has known Holmes for years.

"We have known him since like middle school, we actually grew up with him," said Nakia Kelsey.

Nakia and Bria's mother, Josie Kelsey, said the couple had a domestic incident last year that resulted in Bria's arrest; however, public records show that the charges were dropped.

"I feel like the moment she met him and the moment she was with him, he was the death of her because this time last year, he had put her in jail and this time, I don't have her anymore," said Nakia Kelsey.

Bria is one of five children and her father said the situation has been heartbreaking for their family.

"It just feels like someone has ripped my heart out. Me and my wife, we're just at a loss for words. It's just horrible, absolutely horrible," said David Kelsey.

He said he first learned his daughter had been shot after receiving a text from her suspected shooter's mother, and it wasn't until after being at the crime scene for awhile that he learned the whole thing happened in front of his grandchild.

"It was just a gut wrenching (situation) and because we were at the scene for at least three hours and we didn't find out that he was in the car until the end."

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Bria's mother said she tried to identify her daughter's body that night in the parking lot on Normandy, but wasn't allowed.

"I feel like I was lied to because everyone told me ... that she was shot in the back because I wanted to confirm that was my child and I found out (on) the 12 o'clock newscast today that she was shot in the head," said Josie Kelsey.

The family describes Bria as quiet but loving. They say she would have done anything for her 3-year-old son.

They family also tells Action News Jax that they are appreciative to everyone in the community who has been reaching out to them and praying for them.

Holmes will appear in court November 21.

Bria's father had this to say to him while our camera was rolling Monday.

"You had no right to take our child from us. There's nothing that she could've done to you that warranted what you did to her. Nothing, absolutely nothing."

Cox Media Group