In late August, Felicia Kennell gave birth to her son Mason at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Born prematurely at 32 weeks, Mason required care in the NICU, while Kennell remained in recovery. At home, Mason’s older brother, 18-year-old Martinez Ursery Jr., eagerly awaited the chance to meet his new sibling. Unable to visit the hospital, Martinez and his mother stayed connected through photos of the newborn that Kennell sent from her hospital bed.
However, just days later, on September 1, Kennell’s joy turned to devastation when she received a call that would shatter her world. A family friend informed her that Martinez had been fatally shot in their home on Auburn Drive, North County. Kennell initially thought the news was a cruel joke. “I was like, ‘Quit playing, don’t do that,’” she recalled, only to realize the heartbreaking truth. Unable to process what had happened, Kennell rushed to leave the hospital without even holding her newborn son.
According to court documents, the shooter was 21-year-old Christopher Webb, a cousin of Martinez. Webb had entered the house with a firearm that was later discovered to be loaded. In a tragic turn of events, Webb shot Martinez in the head, leading to charges of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. This loss came just four years after Martinez’s father was also fatally shot, adding to Kennell’s profound grief.
Despite the overwhelming sorrow, Kennell found a way to cope with the loss of her son. Reflecting on the painful juxtaposition of losing one child while welcoming another, she shared, “God took one from me, but he blessed me with another one.” In the midst of unimaginable grief, Kennell sought solace in the belief that her family would find strength to move forward.
Recent Comments