Family and friends remember man killed in Cape Coral shooting

Reporter: Gail Levy Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Brian Nicholas McKellop Jr.
Brian Nicholas McKellop Jr. and his father. (Credit: McKellop family)

A family is mourning after a 20-year-old is killed in a shooting in Cape Coral on Wednesday night.

Cape Coral police say Brian Nicholas McKellop Jr. was shot by his stepfather, Gabriel Fernandez, after a family argument inside a home on Southwest 17th Street shortly before 11 a.m. McKellop was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

On Wednesday, McKellop spent part of his day posting on Instagram, like lots of young people do. By Wednesday night, he was dead.

“I mean, this is just heartbreaking,” said Brian McKellop Sr., who was brought to tears while talking about his son.

Brian Nicholas McKellop Jr. and family. (Credit: McKellop family)

McKellop Sr. said he couldn’t understand why what possessed his son’s stepfather to shoot him to death. “This was senseless. So for you to be a coward in that sense to use a gun to take the life of a young man is pretty sad.”

Cape Coral police said McKellop Jr. tried to break up an argument in the house between his stepfather and his mother.

His ex-girlfriend said that’s the kind of man McKellop Jr. was. He would stand up for what was right, no matter the cost. This time, he paid the ultimate price.

“He would do his best to say something, he would do his best to do something, even if you didn’t want it. He always was. That was a big thing about him,” said Carolina Diaz, Brian McKellop Jr.’s ex-girlfriend.

A young Brian Nicholas McKellop Jr. (Credit: McKellop family)

McKellop Sr. said that’s the man he raised his son to be.

McKellop Jr. ran track at Ida Baker High School in Cape Coral, joined the JROTC program, and eventually, the Marines, fulfilling his life-long dream.

“He always wanted to go to the Marines,” said McKellop Sr.

Brian Nicholas McKellop Jr. (Credit: McKellop family)

McKellop Sr. said there was no obstacle his son couldn’t overcome and said there are no words he can find to describe the pain of losing him. “I’m still in disbelief of what’s taking place. I think last night. I’m not sure exactly what happened. I’m still trying to put the pieces together.”

McKellop Sr. is trying to come to grips with the fact that he will never speak to his son again.

Brian Nicholas McKellop Jr. and his father. (Credit: McKellop family)

He said funeral arrangements have not been made as the family is still dealing with the shock of losing a loved one.

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