BATON ROUGE — It’s been one year since a family lost their beloved son and nephew, and they want to ensure he is never forgotten. 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.
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. A classmate, Jeremiah Howze, was arrested several days later and charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in Earthly’s death.
A year has passed since Earthly died, and his family tells UWK that the grief still runs deep.
“The grief hasn’t softened—it has deepened. We are exhausted, drained, and profoundly sad. There’s a unique pain in watching time move forward while KJ is permanently left behind,” said Earthly’s aunt Dr. Maria Shantell Williams.
“We’re not just grieving KJ’s death—we’re grieving the future he was robbed of, birthdays he’ll never celebrate and milestones he’ll never reach,” she explained.
While they are continuing to grieve their loss, the family is also fighting to ensure justice is served and that Earthly’s memory continues to live on.
“We keep his memory alive by speaking his name, by refusing to let his story fade, and by continuing to advocate—not just for KJ, but for every family who should never have to bury a loved one because of malicious violence that stems from jealousy and insecurity,” Williams said.
In 2024, Williams shared how video footage of her nephew showed him skipping out the door the day he was killed.
‘KJ was more than a case number or headline’
Williams said her nephew was far more than just a news headline.
Earthly was “deeply loved” by all who knew him, she said. This included his fellow Broadmoor High School classmates, along with teachers and administrators. In the days following his death, his desk at school was decorated in his memory.
Williams said the turnout at Earthly’s funeral from his school — the principal, the teachers, the staff — was incredible and spoke a lot about his character.
“We know who he was, but it’s a difference when even at school, he had a positive reputation,” Williams said.
She went on to say that he made people feel seen, had a contagious smile, and a kind spirit.
“We want people to remember that KJ was more than a case number or a headline,” she added.
Grieving but not giving up
Jeremiah Howze was arrested several days after the shooting, and his bond was set at $150,000 on Jan. 3rd. As part of his release conditions, he was required to wear an ankle monitor, adhere to a curfew, and remain at home except for court appearances, hearings, or work.
In April, the District Attorney’s office filed a motion to revoke Howze’s bond due to multiple alleged bond violations, including violating his curfew and letting his ankle monitor die. Howze’s bond was remanded until a judge could review additional records.
A grand jury indicted Howze on May 1 on second-degree murder, possession of a machine gun, and obstruction of justice charges.
On May 7, Howze’s defense filed several motions with the court, including a motion for a reduction in bail and a motion to reconsider bond conditions. Later in May, Judge Fred Crifasi revoked Howze’s bond, setting his new bond at $650,000.
The family will go back to court on Feb. 19, 2026. Williams said they are feeling a mix of anxiety, frustration, and concern as the date approaches.
“Instead of moving closer to justice, it feels like we’re being asked to consider less—to accept convenience over accountability; which is not an option for us.”
While the family said they understand the budget concerns with the District Attorney’s office, they are unwilling to accept anything less than justice. “KJ’s life will not be reduced to a plea deal simply because the system is strained,” Williams explained.
They are also concerned that Howze’s defense team will request a bond modification, after the fight to have the original bond revoked. “Unfortunately, this common phenomenon in our community sends a painful message: that the life taken matters less than the comfort of the person who took it.”
Overall, Earthly’s family wants the public and court system to know “justice delayed is justice denied. Families like ours are asked to be patient while carrying unbearable grief, and that is not sustainable,” Williams said.
“The way that KJ’s case is handled has the opportunity to set a new precedent in our community, one in which violence will not be minimized and the lives of our young people are worth protecting,” she added.
They are not giving up, and they want Earthly to be remembered as more than just a victim, but as a young man who had a positive effect on everyone he met and whose life had value, purpose, and promise.
“We are grieving, but we are not giving up. We will continue to pack the courtroom each court date and allow our voices to be heard. KJ deserves more. Our family deserves more. And we are believing justice will not partially or halfway but will completely be served in his case.”
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