Tamia Alexandria Sanders, a 14-year-old girl from Jacksonville, Florida, tragically lost her life on August 12, 2016. Tamia was a student at Robert E. Lee High School and was known for her vibrant personality and cherished by her family and friends. On that fateful day, Tamia was outside her home on West 38th Street when she was caught in a sudden burst of gunfire. The incident occurred during an argument involving Bryan Keefe Goggins Jr., who had been called to the scene by his mother.
Goggins, a convicted felon, arrived and began shooting indiscriminately, striking Tamia in the head and killing her instantly. Three other individuals were also injured in the shooting.
The investigation into Tamia's death was thorough and led to the arrest of Bryan Keefe Goggins Jr. He was charged with second-degree murder, three counts of attempted second-degree murder, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. During the trial, it was revealed that Goggins had made several incriminating statements during a controlled call with his mother, admitting to the shooting but claiming he did not know who was in front of him at the time. The prosecution presented strong evidence, including positive identifications from two of the surviving victims.
In November 2019, a Duval County jury found Goggins guilty of all charges after deliberating for just 75 minutes. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Ashley Terry and Cameron French, and the sentencing was scheduled for December 9, 2019. Goggins faced a maximum sentence of life in prison for his crimes. The conviction brought some measure of justice to Tamia's family, who had been devastated by her untimely death. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Jacksonville and the tragic consequences it can have on innocent lives.
