On June 25, 2021, Benjamin Goff, a 41-year-old white male, was found dead at the Landmark Motel in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The St. Petersburg Police Department responded to a call about a person shot at the motel around 5 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered Goff's body in a second-floor room. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation revealed that Goff had been shot during a robbery attempt.
The suspects were attempting to rob him for drugs and money when a struggle ensued, leading to the fatal shooting.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Benjamin Goff. Vincent Donnell Evans Jr., a 24-year-old black male, was charged with first-degree felony murder and resisting arrest without violence. A 16-year-old black male, whose name was not disclosed due to his age, was also arrested and charged with second-degree felony murder and resisting arrest without violence. The police investigation indicated that Evans and the teenager were involved in the robbery that led to Goff's death. During the struggle, Evans shot Goff, resulting in his immediate death.
The case attracted significant attention, and the St. Petersburg Police Department offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. The investigation was thorough, involving multiple law enforcement agencies and community tips. The arrests of Evans and the teenager were seen as a significant breakthrough in the case. Both suspects faced serious charges, and the legal proceedings were closely monitored by the community and local media.
The tragic death of Benjamin Goff highlighted the ongoing issues of drug-related crimes and violence in the area. The case underscored the importance of community cooperation with law enforcement to solve such crimes. The legal process for the suspects involved multiple court appearances, and the charges against them reflected the severity of the crime. The community's response to the incident was one of shock and a renewed call for measures to address the root causes of such violence.
