“My Baby Sister Deserved More Than This”: Family Devastated by Kelsea Perkins’ Sudden Death in Triple Homicide
What should’ve been a joyful night for 23-year-old Kelsea Perkins—a newly certified nursing graduate—turned into a tragedy that shattered her family and shocked a city. Kelsea, originally from Arizona, had moved to the Triad to pursue her dreams. But those dreams were stolen when gunfire broke out at a party on Cameron Avenue in Winston-Salem over the weekend. Kelsea was one of three young lives lost, alongside 18-year-old Alan Lopez and 17-year-old Destiny Quiterio.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” said Christine Combs, Kelsea’s older sister. “We haven’t even gotten to see her. She was so full of life, so beautiful, so young.”
Kelsea’s ambition was contagious. Christine said her sister had just earned her nursing certification, was working hard, going to school, and “finally starting to feel empowered.” She had embraced the Triad community and had built a life with dreams of healing others, caring for patients, and making her mark on the world.
Police Chief William Penn, visibly frustrated, addressed the media Monday after what he described as a violent and heartbreaking weekend, with five young lives lost in multiple shootings. “We must take responsibility for our youth,” he urged, calling on the community to stop the cycle of violence. Though gang activity has not been confirmed, it remains under investigation.
