Ezekiel Kelly’s family speak out as 19-year-old suspect is arrested after ‘bloody shooting is livestreamed on Facebook’

AN aunt of a suspected gunman who allegedly livestreamed a shooting rampage at a convenience store on Facebook and killed at least four people has spoken out after his arrest.

Ezekiel Kelly's relative, who did not wish to be named, spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun after the teen was booked by Memphis cops during wild manhunt across state lines to Arkansas in stolen cars.

A graphic video from around 4.30pm local time on Wednesday showed what appeared to be Kelly allegedly shooting at random people while on Facebook Live at an AutoZone.

The 19-year-old was later seen smiling when he was arrested over the deadly shooting.

His aunt told The U.S. Sun: "I found out this evening. I'm shocked just like everybody else. The only person who knows what's going on with Ezekiel is Ezekiel."

"He's got a lot of stuff going on, a lot of deaths around him," she added. "He wasn't just going around doing something as a joke. There's something going on with him mentally, he needs help."

In the video, which has been shared on social media, Kelly could be seen exiting the car as he goes on an expletive-filled rant saying, "This s*** is for real," before walking into an AutoZone and seemingly shooting a man without warning.

When asked if she feels he was of sound mind during the alleged shooting, his aunt said: "No, he wasn't. That's not him."

"It's hard to survive here, especially when you don't know who your daddy is. And you're dealing with these deaths.

"I'm his aunt. I hate that people lost their lives. I sympathize and empathize, but I haven't heard anything from him."

The teenager allegedly engaged in a violent shooting spree across the city on Wednesday - and Memphis Police Chief Davis said cops believe he was also responsible for another murder the night before.

Kelly was arrested and taken into custody after crashing a car that was reportedly stolen, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office said - and an eerie image of the grinning suspect sitting in a patrol car has since surfaced.

Cellphone footage has also revealed the moment he was led away in cuffs by cops after allegedly wrecking a carjacked Dodge Challenger while on the run from the police.

According to local publications and reports on social media, he is accused of hurting several drivers he carjacked during the shocking spree that spanned three states.

First, he was reportedly in a silver Infiniti, followed by a grey Toyota SUV with Arkansas plates, before he allegedly carjacked a Dodge Challenger and wrecked it in Southaven, cops said.

'HORRIFIC WEEK'

Shortly after midnight, Memphis Police Chief Davis revealed that cops believed suspect Kelly was also responsible for another murder on Tuesday night.

Davis thanked law enforcement agencies who had arrested him, telling reporters: "I want to reassure the community that 19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly is in fact in custody.

"This has been a horrific week for the city of Memphis and the Memphis police department," she continued after Kelly's arrest, which came just days after the body of murdered jogger Eliza Fletcher was found in the Tennessee city.

"We extend our sincere condolences to all the victims who have been affected by this sequence of violence acts today," Davis said, thanking the public for their tips."

'STAY AWAY'

Earlier on Wednesday evening, residents in that area had been urged to shelter in place, according to the Memphis Police Department, which was lifted when Kelly was caught.

According to MPD, Kelly had been seen driving a gray Toyota SUV with an Arkansas license plate.

Police said Kelly carjacked a woman for her vehicle and witnesses say the woman was shot.

That woman, a 17-year-old, has since died, according to Fox 13.

The U.S. Sun can confirm Kelly has charges from 2020 including criminal attempt of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony, and reckless endangerment.

Court documents from Shelby County show he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and the other charges were dismissed.

On April 6, 2021, he was sentenced to three years in the Shelby County Department of Corrections after he was tried as an adult.

He was ordered to pay fines and costs amounting to $12,389.50 - and had agreed on a payment plan.

Kelly was sentenced to three years but was released on March 16, 2022.

Authorities had reportedly issued a warrant for Kelly's arrest on Wednesday morning stemming from a February 3, 2020 incident.