On January 8, 2023, police in Kansas City, Missouri, responded to a reported shooting in the 2000 block of East 73rd Street shortly before 1:00 a.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered two victims unresponsive in the front yard of a residence. One of the victims was identified as Charles Leavell Martin, a 46-year-old Black male, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim, 35-year-old Tanisha Williams, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries but succumbed to her wounds the following morning.
The investigation revealed that the suspect, Damon Goodrich, had been in a relationship with Williams. On the night of the fatal incident, Goodrich arrived at Williams' home where he encountered Martin, who was identified as Williams' cousin. Surveillance footage from the area captured Goodrich speaking with Martin in the front yard prior to the violence. According to witness statements and court documents, the interaction escalated when Goodrich shot both Martin and Williams before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. Several of Williams’ children were present at the home and witnessed parts of the attack.
Authorities arrested Goodrich, and he was subsequently charged in connection with the double homicide. During the legal proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence including the surveillance video and testimony regarding Goodrich’s presence at the scene. In November 2023, a Jackson County jury found Goodrich guilty on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.
In February 2024, the court handed down a significant sentence for the crimes. The judge ordered Goodrich to serve 30 years for each murder conviction and three years for each count of armed criminal action. The sentences were set to run consecutively, resulting in a total prison term of 66 years for the deaths of Charles Leavell Martin and Tanisha Williams.
