In the late hours of a summer night in Richmond, Virginia, a 31-year-old Black man named Benjamin T. Goode was walking alone along Creighton Road. It was August 16, 2016, and what began as a solitary stroll would end in a tragedy that continues to seek resolution. As he made his way through the 1800 block of the street, the night was shattered by the sound of gunfire.
Struck by a bullet, Goode began to run, a desperate flight for his life that carried him towards the intersection of 30th
Street and Nine Mile Road before he collapsed. Emergency services received a call at approximately 11:42 p.m. and arrived to find him suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, but despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the following morning.
The Richmond Police Department launched a homicide investigation, believing that Goode was targeted while he was by himself. In the years that have passed, the case has remained open, with investigators appealing to the public for any information that might lead to an arrest. Despite these efforts, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with his death.
Benjamin T. Goode was remembered by his loved ones as a family man who had aspirations of returning to school and creating a better life for himself. His death left a void in the lives of his son, parents, and siblings. The community continues to hope for a breakthrough in the case that will bring justice for Goode and a sense of closure to his grieving family.
