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'I lost it, I screamed': Woman mourns husband who was murdered while driving for Uber in Portland

Kelly Kelvin and her three children are mourning the death of Josh Kelvin, who was shot while inside his vehicle. His teenage passenger was shot and hospitalized.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Flipping through photos on her phone, Kelly Kelvin is reminded of all the moments she spent beside her husband, Josh Kelvin.

"He loved his country. He loved God. He loved his family," Kelly Kelvin said.

The couple had been married for 18 years and built a life together in Aumsville with their three children. Josh Kelvin spent hours each day driving for Uber to support his family. Rides often took him into Portland, as it was busier and good for business. 

"Even if he was with a customer, he would text me just a 'Hey, busy,' or he would just say 'busy' so then I know he’ll call me as soon as he’s done," Kelly Kelvin said about their routine. "That call never came. That text never arrived."

Last Tuesday, after picking up a teenage passenger, Josh Kelvin was shot and killed near Southeast 130th Place in Portland's Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood. Portland police found Josh Kelvin and his 17-year-old passenger both shot while sitting inside a vehicle.

"He says, 'I'm so sorry, but he was killed,'" Kelly Kelvin said, recalling the moment a Portland police detective called her. "I lost it, I screamed. I yelled, 'Not my husband, not my Joshy.'"

Credit: Kelvin family

The teenage boy was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Police said Wednesday afternoon that he had suffered life-threatening injuries and was still in critical condition.

Kelly Kelvin said her husband picked up the wrong person at the wrong time. 

"He never knew who was getting in his car," she said. "All you ever see on the platforms for Uber or Lyft is rider safety, rider safety, we do this for rider safety. Where in there is (effort) for driver safety?"

It's one of the many questions she is trying to answer as she grieves the loss of her husband after their 18th wedding anniversary. 

"I call his cell phone," Kelly Kelvin said. "It's off now. Police have turned it off, but I call just to hear his voice on the voicemail."

Police have not arrested anyone in connection with the shooting that killed her husband.

“Please just turn yourself in," she said. "You get to hug your loved ones and I never get to see my husband again." 

As Kelly Kelvin and her children try to process his death, they're reminded of his strong faith in God and believe he's in heaven. 

"That's what I'm holding on to, that someday I'll see him again," she said.

Family of Josh Kelvin have set up a GoFundMe.

More Than A Number aims to help give a face and a voice to victims and families impacted by tragedies. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a homicide and would like to share your story, you can reach out to us by sending an email to morethananumber@kgw.com.

  

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