Detectives in Charleston have arrested Antonio Jamal Kelly, 33, of Charleston, in connection with a homicide that took place on Tripe Street in West Ashley. Kelly faces charges of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.
Police responded to reports of a shooting at around 12:30 a.m. on January 10, 2026. Officers found a vehicle in the roadway with a deceased victim inside. The Charleston County Coroner identified the victim as Ashlyn Brianna Burkett, who died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The Charleston Police Department’s Special Operations Division executed a search warrant at a residence on Tripe Street as part of their investigation. Kelly was located inside and initially taken into custody on an unrelated domestic violence warrant.
Key evidence was processed by the CPD’s DNA Laboratory within days, which provided investigative leads more quickly than usual.
Kelly was apprehended on January 15, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida by the CPD’s Warrants Unit with help from the U.S. Marshals Service. He is currently being held while awaiting extradition to South Carolina.
Detectives learned that Kelly and Burkett had previously been in a romantic relationship. “Anyone experiencing intimate partner violence is encouraged to seek help by contacting law enforcement or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 for support and resources,” according to police.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact the Charleston Police Department at 843-720-2422 and request the on-duty Central Detective. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.charleston-sc.gov/tips.
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