Pro-boxer, 30, is shot dead in front of his girlfriend and three young children 'in road rage attack' as they drove to see family on Christmas Eve

No passengers were injured, but Kelly was pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

'This is an absolutely heartbreaking loss for Mr. Kelly's family and friends,' major crimes acting Major David Blazer said December 25.

'He is not home with his loved ones today on Christmas who are now mourning his loss instead of celebrating the holiday.'

Former professional boxer Danny Kelly Junior, 30, was killed in a Christmas Eve shooting that Maryland police say might have been sparked by road rage

A $25,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of Kelly's killer

Kelly, who went by the ring alias Danny 'Smooth', fought as a heavyweight in professional boxing from 2012 to 2019, according to the boxrec.com. He won 10 of the 14 bouts he fought.

He knocked out opponent Nick Kisner during his final match October 18, 2019, and on Sunday Kisner paid tribute to his ring rival. 

'Danny was a good dude,' Kisner wrote on Facebook. 'Me and him were cool before the fight and even after the fight. He was a hell of fighter too. 

'But truth be told, I never had any clue I'd be the last person that he ever fought. And in a way I'm glad that he went out with a win. He was a good guy, and he deserved [that].'

It's not clear why Kelly retired from boxing, nor is it known whether he took up another occupation in more recent years. 

Kelly, who went by the ring alias Danny 'Smooth', fought as a heavyweight in professional boxing from 2012 to 2019, according to the boxrec.com . He won 10 of the 14 bouts he fought

Kelly was driving his family to annual holiday tradition in Maryland when he was killed, a family friend said on Facebook

Kelly's children, who range in age from four to nine, are 'traumatized,' by the brazen afternoon shooting, a family friend told Dailymail.com, adding she 'couldn't stop crying' after hearing the news.

Kelly was driving his family to annual holiday tradition when he was killed, Angelina Harvey said on Facebook.

'For the last three Christmas I've spent it with this guy and his kids,' she wrote. 'Today it was no fussing 'Danny fix my plate' no 'get out my damn chair' no nothing. It was just a slumber day things will never be the same.'

The shooting happened in Temple Hills, an unincorporated area about an hour's drive outside Baltimore.

St. Barnabas Road is a 'heavily-travelled roadway,' police said as they implored witnesses to come forward. 

A $25,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of Kelly's killer. 

The shooting happened in Temple Hills, an unincorporated area about an hour's drive outside Baltimore. Kelly was shot while travelling on the 'heavily-traveled' St. Barnabas Road

Kelly's godmother, Bernadine Walker, described him as a talented boxer and loving family man. 

'He was a wonderful dad,' Walker told WUSA9. 'He loved his babies. He loved his children.'

Inside the ring, Kelly made fast work of his opponents, she said.

'We traveled all over the place watching him boxing,' said Walker. 'Only for him to knock his opponent out in thirty seconds... He just had that trigger in him. He had that drive to be a good boxer.'

 Police are asking anyone with information to call (301) 516-2512 with tips. Those wishing to remain anonymous can dial Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477.