A 35-year-old mother, Jo Shaw, is being celebrated as a hero after she saved her young child moments before a deliberate grenade explosion killed her at her home in Bristol. The blast occurred at approximately 6:30 am on Sunday, triggered by her ex-partner, 41-year-old Ryan Kelly, a former member of a drug gang reminiscent of the 'Breaking Bad' series.
Brave Act of Sacrifice
Witnesses report that Shaw likely sensed the danger and instructed her son to go outside and play on a trampoline, effectively removing him from the domestic dispute. Neighbors heard Shaw shouting 'go away, go away' shortly before a massive detonation shook the surrounding homes on Sterncourt Road. The child was rescued from the garden just before the explosion, which sent shockwaves through the neighborhood.
Police Response and Investigation
Armed police were already en route to the property following reports of a domestic incident when the device was detonated. The explosion occurred just 13 minutes after the initial 999 call. Both Jo Shaw and Ryan Kelly died in the blast, and three other family members were treated for minor injuries before being discharged from the hospital.
Avon and Somerset Police have officially recorded Shaw's death as a homicide and are not currently looking for any other suspects. The force has also referred itself to the police watchdog due to a prior history of domestic incidents between the pair.
Kelly's Criminal Background
Kelly had a significant criminal history, having been sentenced to five years in prison in 2015 for his involvement in a conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was part of a gang led by a 78-year-old inmate who attempted to set up a crystal meth lab.
Community in Shock
Neighbors indicated that Shaw had moved into her parents' home on Sterncourt Road specifically to escape Kelly and had recently expressed relief at feeling 'safe and free.' Friends and neighbors described Shaw, who worked at a tanning salon, as a 'wonderful woman' and a devoted mother. One friend noted that she was 'the most amazing woman I've ever known,' while the local community remains in shock over the horrendous events.
Forensic teams and army bomb disposal experts have concluded their initial sweeps of the area, allowing residents to return to their homes as the investigation into Kelly's other linked properties continues.
