BATON ROUGE — Broadmoor High School senior Kyle “KJ” Earthly Jr. was shot and killed in broad daylight on Dec. 23, 2024, allegedly by a classmate he had been giving a ride to, according to his family.
The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. in the 15000 block of Old Hammond Highway. Officials say that Earthly was shot inside his vehicle, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“He thought this kid was his friend”
Earthly’s family tells UWK that a classmate, Jeremiah Howze, asked him for a ride. The two reportedly stopped at Best Buy before pulling into a gas station, where the shooting took place. According to KJ’s parents, this wasn’t the first time Howze had asked for a ride. They say he had given him rides from school before when Howze had asked.
“He thought this kid was his friend,” KJ’s aunt, Dr. Maria Shantell Williams, said.
KJ’s family described the 18-year-old senior’s “big heart” as someone known for helping others. They remember him as a “peace maker” who didn’t dislike anyone, and they believe his kind attitude is what led to his death.
‘He had a positive reputation’
“The camera at my nephew’s home literally shows him skipping out of the door to go and take this guy to the store. And he never returned home,” Williams said.
“To see the turnout at the funeral from his school — the principal, the teachers, the staff — who literally showed out. It says a lot. We know who he was, but it’s a difference when even at school, he had a positive reputation,” Williams said.
KJ’s parents, Ashley and Kyle Earthly Sr., told UWK they’re frustrated and disappointed with the way their son’s case has been handled so far.
‘Slap in the face’
After the shooting on Dec. 23, Howze reportedly evaded police and was not arrested for eight days, the family said. He now faces charges of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
On Jan. 3, 2025, Howze’s bond was set at $150,000. As part of his release conditions, he is required to wear an ankle monitor, adhere to a curfew, and remain at home except for court appearances, hearings, or work.
KJ’s parents were shocked to learn about the bond amount, which they called insultingly low. They said they found out about the bail amount on the day KJ was laid to rest. His mother called the bond a “slap in the family’s face.”
“That’s really low for something that should be a first-degree murder charge,” she said. “He shouldn’t even have the option to bail out.”
Her husband echoed her sentiments: “It’s a shame what happened and (Howze) needs to go to jail. That bond should have not been $150,000. (It) should have been at least a half a million.”
The family also says there have been communication gaps with the district attorney’s office, claiming they’ve struggled to get updates or answers.
District Attorney Hillar Moore said that while there is limited information the office can share at this time, the family should have been contacted by a victim outreach worker regarding Howze’s next court date, set for April 21.
UWK reached out to the commissioner who set Howze’s bond, but did not receive a response before publication.
Meanwhile, Howze has been released on bond.
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2 Responses
The bond set for the killer is an insult to KJ and his family. On December 30, 2024, in North Milton, Ohio, a 22 year old was arguing with his 54 year old dad when he shot and killed his dad.
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My condolences to the families and parents of this young man that lost his life in the tragic circumstances that he has endured in his lifetime of being a friend to the one who he was friends with,I pray that justice will be done for him here on earth for him,we all know what the Bible says whoever killed shall be killed,we’ll stand upon god words and believe in his word, we as humans we should all be treated equally as human beings because ifs shoes were on the other foot 🦶 all both of them will be in jail, we all have the right to live and live accordingly to will of our saviors Jesus Christ,wen this world ends in we’ll have to face our consequences for our actions towards others before our savior, the system in one’s that runs the universe will see all the things that they have done in darkness,to families and parents keep living the way our savior we required for us to live is loved one another.🕊️🕊️🕊️🥀sorry for yall loss 😢🙏🏽😇❤️