In the early morning hours of June 30, 2019, tragedy struck at a Super 8 Motel in Hermitage, Tennessee, forever altering the lives of those involved. Anthony Goodall, a 20-year-old male, was fatally shot during what authorities have described as a drug-related robbery. Goodall was walking to a room at the motel located on Princeton Place around 2:15 a.m. when the violent encounter occurred.
The investigation into Goodall's death led detectives to identify multiple suspects.
Surveillance footage from the motel proved to be a critical piece of evidence, allowing law enforcement to piece together the events of that fateful morning. The footage showed two individuals, later identified as Justin Pace and Donte Easley, following Goodall. As Goodall exited an elevator in the motel's breezeway, Pace and Easley confronted and robbed him. During the robbery, Goodall was shot and killed. The assailants fled the scene with Goodall's backpack, which was reported to contain methamphetamine.
In the course of their investigation, authorities made several arrests. Brandon Jenkins was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder for his alleged role in the incident. Gang Unit detectives also arrested Justin Pace at his residence in Goodlettsville. In August 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Pace and several co-defendants on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and causing death through the use of a firearm. Donte Easley, the other individual identified in the initial confrontation, is now deceased.
The legal process has seen some resolution in the case. Justin Pace, faced with a mountain of evidence against him, chose to plead guilty to all charges in federal court. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he faces a sentence of 30 years in prison. Two other defendants connected to the case had also previously pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
