A young woman was left fighting for her life after a late-night shooting—now, her family is left mourning and searching for justice.
Kelsey Strickland, a 21-year-old mother of four, died on June 17, 2025, after being shot almost a week earlier at an apartment in Heavener, Oklahoma. Her death has not only prompted a criminal investigation but also sparked a wave of grief and heartfelt tributes from those closest to her.
In the early hours of June 11, officers were called to the scene of a shooting at a complex on State Highway 128, where they found 20-year-old Dylan McGee dead and Kelsey severely injured. Authorities transported her to a nearby hospital, where she remained in critical condition until her passing.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed her death and stated that no suspects were at large, but the exact events leading to the violence are still under review.
Both the Heavener Police Department and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department are collaborating with the OSBI to determine what happened.
Following the shooting, Kelsey’s family faced not only emotional devastation but also an outpouring of public misunderstanding.
Her younger sister, Brilynn Strickland, pleaded on social media for people to stop posting images of Kelsey alongside Dylan, expressing how deeply painful it was for the family to see him portrayed as a victim.
In a raw and emotional message, she wrote, “He just shot my sister in her face the last thing anyone of her family want to see is him in the same post or photo as her. So I sit here and beg not to make it look like he is a victim in this situation either he took his life and escaped reality from this situation [sic].”
A GoFundMe page was set up in the days following the shooting to help support the family. Organized by Karmyn Earley on behalf of Kelsey’s stepmother, Courtney Strickland, the fundraiser highlighted Kelsey’s role as a mother herself and the impact of the sudden tragedy.
It was also noted that Kelsey had been peacefully sleeping when the violence erupted, turning her world — and her children’s — upside down.
The goal was to help with medical expenses, travel costs, and essential supplies for her children. As of this writing, the campaign has raised nearly $5,000 from dozens of donors hoping to ease the burden on a grieving family.
Amid the growing support, many loved ones also turned to social media to process their grief and celebrate Kelsey’s memory.
Branden Bozarth, the father of one of her children, shared a moving tribute. He promised that their son would grow up knowing his mother not only by name but by the stories of her strength, humor, and love.
He also wrote that Kelsey’s presence “made an impact that will never fade,” and assured, “You’ll always have a place in our hearts.”
Another tribute came from Calen Davies, Kelsey’s older sister, who admitted that she was struggling to accept the reality of her sister’s death. She said she received the worst phone call of her life and described the heartache of seeing Kelsey in a hospital bed.
Calen also remembered her sister as a stubborn and determined fighter — traits that anyone who knew her would instantly recognize. Additionally, she wrote, “She was a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and cousin. Only 21, with four beautiful babies.”
The loss was deeply personal for Danielle Porter, Kelsey’s aunt, who expressed the emotional toll this had taken on their family.
“I see tragic stories and never think that Domestic Violence will hit this close to home. My heart aches for her babies who will never remember her voice or her wrapping her arms around them and the love she had for them,” she wrote.
Additionally, Danielle expressed, “I know we are not meant to understand why things like this happens but my heart just feels so gripped with pain and confusion [sic].”
She finished her post with, “I could probably write a book but all this to say. I hurt! I’m sad, I’m mad, I’m confused and aggravated and my thoughts are all over the place. At the end of the day Kelsey was so strong and fought a hard battle. Please continue to lift up her babies and the family [sic].”
As the investigation continues, the family has been navigating not only the grief this tragedy brought but a changed future — one without Kelsey. We offer our condolences to them at this time.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
