On a tragic evening in Little Rock, Arkansas, the life of 58-year-old Suzanne McCarty was cut short in a violent act that stunned her quiet neighborhood. On March 6, 2020, McCarty was fatally shot by 66-year-old Craig Goodman in what authorities would later describe as a murder-suicide. The harrowing incident unfolded in the front yard of a home on Carter Lane, leaving neighbors shaken and a community in mourning.
The events of that Friday night escalated quickly as Goodman, armed with a
handgun, chased McCarty out of her residence. The chase ended tragically near the porch of a neighbor's home where Goodman shot McCarty. Shortly after, he turned the weapon on himself, ending his own life. The chaos of the moment was underscored by the stray bullets that struck a neighboring house, with one projectile piercing the front door and ricocheting inside, narrowly avoiding causing further harm.
When police and emergency services arrived at the scene just before 11 p.m., they found Goodman deceased and McCarty in critical condition. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but her injuries proved to be fatal, and she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival. The Little Rock Police Department secured the area, and the subsequent investigation confirmed the incident as a murder-suicide. Both bodies were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for further examination.
Suzanne Kellar McCarty, a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, was remembered in her obituary as a vibrant and cherished member of her community. A dedicated financial services professional, she was also a loving mother to her daughter, Christina Gordon. Her death left a void in the lives of her family, friends, and all who knew her. The investigation into the motive behind the tragic event continued, but for the community, the loss of a beloved neighbor in such a violent manner left an indelible mark.
