Family of slain Delaware woman: 'She would have been 20 today'

Brittany Horn and Alonzo Small, The News Journal

Keshall "KeKe" Anderson would have turned 20 Thursday, likely celebrating with her family and her 7-month-old son, Jordan Dominque Robinson Jr.

Instead, her family gathered to mourn her death, killed Sept. 18 by bullets both police and her family say were not intended for her.

"Keshall would have been 20 today," said her aunt, Kina DeShields. "We're still trying to figure out what happened and we're still asking the community if they knew anything."

Anderson was killed in the 200 block of W. 20th Street while walking to her nearby home. The shots struck both her and a 19-year-old man, who survived his injuries. She was the 18th person to die by gun violence this year win Wilmington.

Since her killing, four more people have been shot in the city. No arrests in those shootings have been made, nor has suspect information been released.

Two year-old Corynn Nelson looks down at a group of stuffed animals, candles and balloons left near the spot where Keshall "KeKe" Anderson was shot and killed in the 200 block of W. 20th Street in Wilmington at a vigil commemorating what would have been Anderson's 20th birthday on Thursday night. Nelson's mother was a friend of Anderson and joined the vigil to pay her respects.

Despite desperate pleas from her family, information surrounding Anderson's death remains sparse. Wilmington police continue to comb the community for new leads or help in solving her killing but said no new details are available at this time.

"We need the community to come together so we can figure out this senseless murder," DeShields, "and so that this person be brought to justice. Her son deserves answers."

During Thursday's vigil at 20th and Washington streets in Wilmington, an emotional Keshia Bailey, Anderson's mother, was helped to a memorial where teddy bears remained from a vigil held by the family in the immediate days after Anderson's death.

“Please don’t be quiet about it,” Bailey said at the vigil while holding her grandson. “Don’t let his mother’s death go in vain.”

Friends of Keshall "KeKe" Anderson stand next to a car with supportive messages for Anderson at a vigil commemorating what would have been her 20th birthday on Thursday night. Anderson was shot and killed along W. 20th Street in Wilmington on September 18th.

City police officers and detectives attended the vigil, handing out flyers detailing how anyone with information could contact authorities. Regarding Anderson's death, anyone with information should contact Detective Robert Fox at (302) 576-3619. Tips may also be left at the Wilmington Police Anonymous Homicide Tip Line at (302) 576-3939.

Weeks after her initial plea for justice, Bailey returned to the very lawn where she sought answers to wish her daughter a happy birthday.

"KeKe always got excited for her birthday," Bailey said to a circle of mourners.

Most attendees wore purple at the family's request, in honor of Anderson's favorite color. After Bailey shared a few words, Happy Birthday was sung by the mass.

"Happy Birthday Dear KeKe, Happy Birthday to you."

A celebration of Anderson's life through song and dance then filled the street.

"KeKe would have loved this," one girl said, pointing to the sky. "She's probably up there (in heaven) dancing right now."

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn. Contact Alonzo Small at (302) 324-2856 or asmall@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @P_AlonzoSmall.