Mississippi National Guard Member Found Guilty in Georgia Girlfriend’s Murder

A Georgia jury found Mississippi National Guard member Selena Kellum guilty of murdering her girlfriend, Shaikia Strong, in a Smyrna extended-stay hotel in 2021. Kellum, 26, now faces charges including felony murder, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence.

Why It Matters: The verdict sheds light on the tragic consequences of domestic violence. For Strong’s family and the community, it’s a step toward accountability.

What Happened:

• On December 23, 2021, Smyrna Police arrived at InTown Suites on Highland Parkway for a welfare check.

• Officers found Strong, 24, dead from multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the neck and two to the face.

Details of the Case: Cobb County prosecutors argued that Kellum and Strong had a tumultuous relationship that culminated in a heated argument before the shooting. After killing Strong, Kellum reportedly removed shell casings, stole several items, and fled to Mississippi. Authorities discovered that she had hidden evidence in a Biloxi storage unit during her escape.

Kellum eventually surrendered to the Biloxi Police Department and was extradited to Cobb County, where a jury convicted her on October 4. Senior District Attorney Jared Horowitz stated that Strong left her hometown in Mississippi to pursue a career in acting, a dream tragically cut short.

🗂️ Domestic Violence Stats: A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2003 and 2014, about 55% of all female homicides in the U.S. were related to intimate partner violence.