Daytona Man Convicted In MLK Food Mart Murder

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Daytona Beach, FL - A gunfight outside a Daytona Beach food mart leads to a first-degree murder conviction.

34-year-old Ricky R. Kelley of Daytona Beach is found guilty of shooting and killing Bobby E. Willis III nearly two years ago outside of the Friend's Mart on 518 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Kelley's conviction on a felony count of premeditated murder came in court yesterday following a three-day trial. He's also facing a related charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Prosecutors believe the two men started an argument the day before at a nearby apartment complex and had resumed it around 1 a.m. on July 16, 2016 while at the store counter.

It was during that argument when an "unprovoked" Kelley pulled a gun and shot the 30-year-old Willis twice in the chest and once in the hip as he held the front door open for Willis to walk through, according to the charging affidavit.

Police say Willis returned fire, with Kelley being hit by at least four bullets in the groin, buttocks and hip. Officers found Kelley soon afterwards getting treatment at Halifax Health Medical Center after he had gotten a ride from the scene. Willis died at the scene.

Kelley initially claimed that it was Willis who shot him and that he had never fired his gun, but detectives found that the store's security video told a different story.

Kelley's sentencing date is set for June 20th in front of 7th Circuit Judge Leah Case, according to the office of Florida 7th Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza. He faces up to life in prison.

Mugshot is courtesy of Volusia County Jail.

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