Kapsabet family mourns son shot and killed in the U.S as it seeks KSh4.5m to ferry body home

A Kenyan family in the U.S is seeking to raise US$35,000 (KSh4.5million) towards the burial of their kin who was shot and killed in Charlottesville, Virginia, on March 4.

Justice Kigen Kilel will be buried in Kapsirchoi village, Kapsabet, Nandi County.

“Dear friends, family and the general community, it's with a heavy heart to break the bad news of our Son Justice Kigen Kilel who was shot and killed in Charlottesville Virginia on March 4 last week,” says the funds appeal on GoFundMe.

“Justice will be buried in Kapsirchoi Kapsabet Kenya. We are reaching out to ask for financial support towards the cost of traveling to Kenya and all other expenses. Our budget is $35,000. Thanks so much for your support.”

Justice Kigen, 20, was shopping at Sunshine Supermarket at around 2pm on the fateful day when two individuals walked in and began to assault him.

“During the altercation, two of the individuals involved fired shots,” says the Charlottesville Police Department (CPD). “Mr. Kilel was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

One of the assailants, a 17-year-old, was admitted at UVA Medical Center with a gunshot wound. “The suspect has been charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Since the suspect is a juvenile, CPD will not be releasing their name,” added the police.

“The second suspect was located at an apartment complex in Albemarle County. He has been identified as 19-year-old Nasier McGhee. He has been charged with one count of malicious wounding. Investigators believe that this incident is part of an ongoing dispute between the suspects and victim.”

Justice Kigen’s mother Jenipher Kilel mourns in a Facebook post: “My son believed in green Farming, Healthy living and was a climate change activist.” She also shares a video of Kigen preparing a vegetable garden with a hoe.

In another photo, she shares a family photo taken around Christmas 2022. “We had such a peaceful Christmas and focused on the Kenyan flag and PEACE in Kenya after the 2022 election. And now we PRAY for a SAFE Charlottesville Virginia! LETS SAY NO TO GUN VIOLENCE!!!” she writes.