In the early evening of September 24, 2023, tragedy struck in the 300 block of Elm Street in Anniston, Alabama, forever altering the lives of those who knew and loved Donald Wayne Gooden Jr., a 36-year-old Black male affectionately known as 'Turtle.' Around 6:45 p.m., the Anniston Police Department received a distressing call about a male suffering from gunshot wounds.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered Gooden inside a residence, critically injured with multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation suggests the shooting occurred outside the apartment, and Gooden, despite his grave injuries, managed to make his way inside before collapsing. He was rushed to the Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival. The untimely and violent nature of his death sent ripples of sorrow through his community. His loved ones remembered him for his big heart, his infectious smile, and his laughter. A graveside service to honor his memory was held on September 30, 2023, at Eden Hills Cemetery in Anniston.
The Anniston Police Department's investigative division quickly began piecing together the events that led to Gooden's death. Their efforts led them to identify a suspect: 26-year-old Broderick Tee Burnett, also a resident of Anniston. While the two men were acquainted, they were reportedly not close friends. A warrant was issued for Burnett's arrest, and he was taken into custody on September 25, 2023, just a day after the fatal shooting. The investigation into the motive and the full circumstances of the incident remains ongoing, leaving a community to mourn a life cut short.
