Sommer Christine Kelly, a 40-year-old mother of four, was remembered by her family as a beautiful person who did not deserve her violent end. Her sister, Brandy Tarin, described the immense pain her family endured, particularly for Sommer's children, one of whom has autism. The children's 65-year-old grandmother, who is on disability, planned to take guardianship of the three younger children after their mother's death.
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the quiet of the Los Ranchos Mobile Home Park in Apple Valley, California, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. At approximately 12:17 a.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of shots fired at a residence in the 20600 block of Waalew Road. When they arrived, they found Sommer Kelly inside the home, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds.
Also at the scene was Sommer’s 18-year-old daughter, who had also sustained several gunshot wounds.
According to her family, she was shot three times while trying to intervene and protect her mother. Paramedics transported the young woman to a trauma center, where she was listed in stable condition and treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Family members reported that three of Sommer's children were in the home at the time of the shooting and witnessed the tragic events.
Investigators with the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail quickly identified Sommer’s boyfriend, 51-year-old Clint Edward Griffith, as the suspect. Authorities stated that Griffith had fled the scene before deputies arrived, sparking a manhunt. An arrest warrant was issued for Griffith for murder and attempted murder, and the public was warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The search for Griffith came to an end five days later, on Sunday, February 4. He was identified as the suspect in a carjacking in the nearby city of Barstow. During the incident, Griffith sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition and placed in custody.
The devastating loss of Sommer Kelly prompted her family to create a GoFundMe campaign titled "Help the victims children" to seek financial assistance for her four children and to cover funeral expenses. Her sister expressed the family's anguish, stating, "That monster had the intention to kill not only her but all 3 children that were in the home at the time. So you can imagine what these kids are going through mentally."
As of February 2024, the investigation was ongoing while the suspect, Clint Edward Griffith, remained hospitalized in critical condition. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has asked anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or through their website at wetip.com.
