Clare Valley man shot dead, four injured

Although Ricardo Kelly had changed residence years ago, it was common for him to spend time in the quiet fishing village of Clare Valley where he grew up.{{more}}

On the night of September 22, 2007, Kelly, more affectionately known as ‘Cardo’ or ‘South’, was going through the usual motions as any other night: meeting with longtime friends, making plans for later that night; just enjoying himself.

At about 10:45 p.m., Kelly was sitting at the door of one of the popular rum shops in the area, taking in a domino match, when two masked men dressed in camouflage attire similar to that worn by the police Special Services Unit (SSU) approached the shop owned by Maxwell John of Clare Valley.

One man approached Kelly where he sat close to the door, as the other stood guard and shot him point blank in the head.

Kelly died on the spot.

The gunman proceeded to open fire on the other patrons of the shop, injuring four persons – Donald Bruce, Gideon Culzac, Ellsworth Edwards and William Burnette – in the process.

Police are investigating the shooting, but preliminary reports indicate that Kelly may have been the lone intended target of the gunmen.

When Searchlight visited the scene, a number of family members were in the area, including his grieving girlfriend Amy.

Kelly, who would have turned 41 in November, was described as an easy-going, respectful person, who was an avid football fan.

“To my knowledge he didn’t have any problems with any body,” his girlfriend of six years said.

As she tried to hide her eyes swollen from two days of crying behind shades, Amy went on to state that Kelly had called her at about 10:30 that night, since they had planned to go out later.

“He had lent out his car and was waiting for it to come back, so he called to let me know that he was coming to pick me up.”

The next call she received was from a friend who broke the news that Kelly was killed.

Minutes later she was at his side where he lay dead.

Amy recounted that she and Ricardo had a very close relationship, so if he had been in any trouble she would have known.

“I am hearing stories about what could have led to what happened on Saturday, but I don’t think it have anything to do with ‘Cardo’.”

She said that the tradesman was very ambitious, worked hard to get to where he was.