Revenge plot disclosed in Accomack Circuit Court

By Linda Cicoira

A complicated plot of revenge involving street gang members was disclosed in part in Accomack Circuit Court Thursday regarding a June 8, 2023, drive-by shooting at a home along A.S. West Road near Painter.

Twenty-four-year-old Quiazal Kylik Kellam, also known as Front or Frontline, of Seaside Road in Painter, pleaded guilty to unlawfully conspiring to shoot at a dwelling occupied by several persons and participating in a crime as part of a street gang. Twelve other charges were not prosecuted.

Sentencing was set for Oct. 16. Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan said he will be asking a judge to sentence Kellam to between five and 10 years of active time for the crimes. Defense lawyer Richard Phillips would be free to ask for a shorter term and plans to do so. A judge does not have to follow any request since the term was not part of the plea bargain. Damages have not yet been assessed but could amount to several thousand dollars, Morgan said.

The prosecutor also acknowledged that Kellam did not participate in the activity when he realized where the others who were allegedly involved were going. Morgan said the home was shot at multiple times, and that dozens of bullet casings and cartridges were found at the site and were collected from two co-defendants.

The shooting was retaliatory and was connected to a man who was sentenced to 96 years in prison for killing a gang member’s relative, Morgan continued. He did not elaborate any further.