R. Kelly’s 16-year-old nephew Brayel Kelly has been charged as an adult with attempted murder, according to authorities, after an incident in the Chicago area earlier this month in which the teen was shot.
Calumet City police told MTV News that on November 6, Brayel Kelly – the son of R. Kelly’s estranged brother Carey Kelly – went into a barbershop and allegedly tried to rob the owner by producing a gun and demanding that the owner place his money and jewelry in a plastic bag. Though the owner complied, he also took out a weapon. Police said Kelly fired, and the victim returned fire, shooting Kelly in the back. Carey Kelly told reporters that one bullet collapsed his son’s lung and the other pierced his liver, and the boy remains hospitalized in intensive care at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
Brayel has been charged with attempted murder, attempted armed robbery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. Cook County Judge Reginald Baker set his bond for $200,000 on Friday. A preliminary hearing on the matter is scheduled for December 3. He faces six to 30 years in prison if convicted, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.
Brayel’s older brother Brandon, who allegedly acted as a lookout, has not been charged.
Brandon and Brayel are among Carey Kelly’s six children. Carey previously told MTV News in 2006 that his sons, but not his daughters, used to have a close relationship with their famous uncle. “My boys have been around Robert to go to his house, shoot pool, play basketball, before all this,” he said, referring to the child pornography allegations against R. Kelly. After Carey and his brother had a falling out, those visits were no more.
R. Kelly had no comment regarding the arrest or charges at press time.