In the early morning hours of January 8, 2023, the life of 35-year-old Tanisha Williams, a Black/African American female, was tragically cut short in a burst of violence outside her Kansas City, Missouri, home. The devastating event, which also claimed the life of her 46-year-old cousin, Charles Martin, unfolded while her teenage children were inside the residence.
The day prior to the fatal shooting, a chilling precursor to the tragedy emerged when Williams' boyfriend, 52-year-old Damon
Goodrich, admitted to one of her sons that he had physically assaulted her, leaving her with a black eye. The situation escalated horrifically on the night of the incident when Goodrich confronted Martin outside Williams' home. Witnesses reported hearing Goodrich utter the words, 'That's what we on,' just before he opened fire, shooting Martin and then Williams. In a desperate act of defense, one of Williams' sons fired at Goodrich as he fled the scene.
Law enforcement swiftly identified Goodrich as the perpetrator. It was discovered that he had a history of violent gun-related crimes. He was subsequently arrested and faced charges of two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. The legal process culminated in November 2023, when a Jackson County jury found Goodrich guilty on all charges. In February 2024, he was sentenced to a total of 66 years in prison, receiving 30 years for each murder count and an additional three years for each count of armed criminal action. The mother of five, with children ranging in age from 3 to 20 years old, was remembered by her loved ones for her unwavering dedication to her children and her vibrant spirit.
