HE DIED A HERO
Territory man Kevin Reid saved his wife before fatal shooting in America’s gun crazy south
THE Alice Springs man shot dead in the US has been remembered as a hero by his devastated wife, whose life he saved in his final moments.
Kevin Reid was shot in front of his wife Kari Graham-Reid while they were walking home from dinner on Wednesday night, US time, in an attempted armed robbery.
Ms Graham-Reid shared an emotional post on Facebook for her husband, who saved her life, ultimately giving his own.
“He moved me out of the way and more than likely saved my life,” she said.
“He was a hero in so many ways and my heart is broken.”
“Kevin was the most wonderful man I’ve ever known, he would give the shirt off his back to help anyone in need.”
A Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman said Mr Reid died of his wounds on the way to hospital late Wednesday night, US time.
Police said three men, all African-American, were seen running from the scene, one with a bandana covering his face.
Police confirmed yesterday the shooting stemmed from an attempted armed robbery. As of last night no suspects had been arrested.
Mr Reid, who was born in Canberra, moved to Savannah with his American wife after living in Alice Springs for 25 years. The pair were married last year.
His senseless death devastated friends and family spanning the globe.
“He was bright, funny and deeply loyal,” Ms GrahamReid said in her Facebook post.
“He made an impact on people wherever he went and he will be missed by countless.
“The happiest day of my life was the day we got married.
“I treasure every minute we had together.
“Kevin, you were the love of my life and I will miss you every single day. My world will never be the same.”
Mr Reid’s siblings shared their grief and heartbreak for Ms Graham-Reid.
“We’re all hurting here too Kari and it’s tough knowing how much you guys meant to each other,” brother Michael Reid said.
“None of us thought there would be anyone who could capture his heart, but you did and we’ve never seen him so happy or content. We’ve lost a son, brother, uncle, cousin and a great friend to so many people.
“Words can’t express the depth of our pain but in all this our hearts go out to you.
“You’ve lost your husband, best mate and a future that looked so bright.”
Mr Reid moved to Atlanta, Georgia last July, relocating to Savannah in February and opening his gallery, The Australian Aboriginal Art Gallery, in April.
In an interview last month aired on WOTC-TV, he said he had always been drawn to Savannah.
“I married by beautiful wife here in Savannah last year,” he said.
“I’m from Alice Springs, right in the middle of Australia, 27,000 people, so I said to her if I’m going to move over to America I ain’t going to live in Atlanta.
“So we flipped a coin and Savannah came up.”
The incident that killed Mr Reid was the second shooting in an attempted armed robbery in Savannah last week.
On Monday night a 27year-old sustained non-life-
“He would give the shirt off his back to help anyone in need” KARI GRAHAM- REID
threatening injuries after three men attempted to rob him while he was getting into a van.
The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department chief Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr requested assistance from the Georgia State Patrol in patrolling additional streets.
“We want to bring these robbers, shooters, repeat gun violators and killers to justice,” he said.
“That is true for anyone who is creating fear and harming people in any part of our jurisdiction.
“Our officers have increased patrols, undercover operations and investigations to identify who we believe are a group of perpetrators who are plaguing pedestrians travelling on our sidewalks during the hours of late evening to early morning.”