Shot Nine Times: The Unbreakable Spirit Of Baron Li And His Mission To Rebuild Lives

Contents

The story of Baron Li is one of extraordinary survival, a harrowing tale of betrayal that has, remarkably, evolved into a powerful mission of redemption and advocacy. As of December 2025, Li is not defined by the violence he endured but by his relentless commitment to helping others navigate their own trauma, specifically aged-out foster youth, a demographic he intimately understands.

On a seemingly normal morning in July 2020, Li was ambushed and shot nine times outside his home in Bellevue, Washington, in a murder-for-hire plot allegedly orchestrated by his ex-wife during a bitter custody dispute. His incredible survival and subsequent journey—from a financial professional to a champion for vulnerable youth—is the freshest and most compelling chapter in his life, proving that even the most devastating betrayal can be transformed into a force for good.

Baron Li: Biography and Professional Profile

Baron Li’s life before the 2020 attack was already marked by significant adversity and a drive for professional success. His experiences, which included a troubled childhood in the foster care system, laid the groundwork for his current, purpose-driven career.

  • Birthplace: Thailand
  • Early Life: Moved to Hawaii as a young child. Experienced severe childhood abuse and was placed in 17 different foster and group-home placements, shaping his lifelong mission to help others in the system.
  • Age: Approximately 53 years old (based on being 48 at the time of the 2020 incident).
  • Former Professional Role: Financial Services Professional at AXIANTA Financial Partners in Calabasas, California, a role he held for five years, from 2017 to 2022.
  • Current Role: Co-owner of Four Tiers Contracting and Founder of the CKMD Army.
  • Notable Event: Survived a murder-for-hire shooting in Bellevue, Washington, in July 2020, where he was shot nine times.

The Bellevue Ambush: Surviving Nine Gunshots and the Quest for Justice

The attempted murder of Baron Li in July 2020 was a violent crime that shocked the affluent Bellevue community. As Li walked from his apartment to his car, a gunman opened fire, striking him multiple times. Li survived the ambush, which prosecutors later determined was motivated by a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, Shaerin Rose Kelley.

The Betrayal and the Legal Outcome

The investigation revealed that Li’s ex-wife, Shaerin Rose Kelley, had allegedly hired two teenagers to carry out the attack. The two young men drove from Mount Vernon to Li's Bellevue apartment to commit the crime. Li’s survival was nothing short of miraculous, enduring nine gunshot wounds.

The legal proceedings against the perpetrators and the alleged mastermind provided a crucial update to the case in the years following the attack. The young men involved in the shooting were sentenced after pleading guilty to attempted murder charges.

In a significant legal development, Shaerin Rose Kelley pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit murder in the second degree in King County Superior Court. She was subsequently sentenced to more than 13 years in prison.

While the plea and sentencing brought a degree of closure, Li publicly expressed his disappointment, stating that his ex-wife was not receiving a harsh enough sentence for her actions. He emphasized that the violence was something neither he nor his child deserved, highlighting his ongoing commitment to seeking full justice.

Turning Trauma into Purpose: Four Tiers Contracting and the CKMD Army

The most defining and inspirational aspect of Baron Li’s life today is his dedication to social advocacy, a path born directly out of his own childhood trauma in the foster care system and his near-death experience. He has successfully channeled his survival into two impactful, community-focused initiatives.

Four Tiers Contracting: Building Homes and Hope

Li co-founded Four Tiers Contracting alongside Kreg Graham, who is also a former foster youth. This premier handyman service company specializes in small repairs and renovations, typically completed within 2–3 days. The company’s business model is unique because its core mission is social impact.

Four Tiers Contracting actively hires and mentors aged-out foster youth, teaching them valuable construction and trade skills. By providing stable employment and mentorship, Li and Graham are directly addressing the high rates of homelessness and unemployment often faced by young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. The company provides a tangible path to self-sufficiency and a supportive environment for those who need it most.

The CKMD Army: A Nationwide Resource and Support System

In addition to his contracting work, Li founded the CKMD Army, a nationwide foster care support and resource guide initiative. The organization is a direct reflection of his personal journey—surviving severe abuse and 17 different placements—and his desire to ensure other children and young adults do not have to face the system alone.

The CKMD Army focuses on providing essential resources, raising awareness, and advocating for systemic change within the foster care system. Li frequently shares his story, including his decision to forgive the two young men who shot him, to inspire others and highlight the urgent need for better support for vulnerable youth. His mission is clear: to help others rebuild their lives by providing the tools and hope he often lacked as a child.

The Legacy of Resilience and Topical Authority

Baron Li’s narrative is a profound case study in resilience. His life encompasses a wide range of topical entities, making his story both a true-crime sensation and an inspiring testament to the human spirit. The key themes—the severity of the 2020 murder-for-hire plot, the legal fallout for Shaerin Rose Kelley, the challenges of the foster care system, and the innovative approach of social entrepreneurship—all converge in his current work.

His advocacy through Four Tiers Contracting and the CKMD Army has established him as a leading voice in foster youth support. By employing a business model that prioritizes mentorship and second chances, Li is creating a lasting legacy that far outweighs the tragic events of his past. His story is a powerful reminder that turning trauma into purpose is the ultimate act of survival.

Shot Nine Times: The Unbreakable Spirit of Baron Li and His Mission to Rebuild Lives
baron li
baron li

Detail Author:

  • Name : Miss Nya Grant DDS
  • Username : mathilde.schneider
  • Email : cohara@schamberger.org
  • Birthdate : 1996-03-12
  • Address : 5075 Cristobal Extensions Suite 798 Harberview, WA 06111-3221
  • Phone : +1-757-871-2461
  • Company : Pfeffer Ltd
  • Job : Occupational Health Safety Specialist
  • Bio : Sequi recusandae labore voluptas. Omnis consequuntur ut natus est. Et quia et laboriosam.

Socials

linkedin:

facebook:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/dariana.grady
  • username : dariana.grady
  • bio : Quam non dolores et aperiam veritatis tempore. Non aliquam corporis sunt quasi harum.
  • followers : 6590
  • following : 490

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/dariana2775
  • username : dariana2775
  • bio : Alias et placeat deserunt eos. Corporis sint et eaque nihil quaerat quasi. Quod repellendus perferendis voluptatibus et culpa. Ut reprehenderit nihil optio.
  • followers : 1938
  • following : 884

tiktok: