On a tragic spring evening in Richmond, Virginia, the life of 18-year-old Kejuan L. Goode was cut short. On April 8, 2017, Goode and another young man, 20-year-old Terrell D. Thomas, were found inside a residence at the Midlothian Village Apartments in the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike. Both men had sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene, marking a grim moment in the city's struggle with gun violence.
The double homicide prompted an investigation by Richmond
police, which led to the identification of a suspect. Jarmaine T. Free, a 21-year-old from Richmond, was arrested and charged in connection with the deaths of Goode and Thomas. The charges against Free were significant and included two counts of murder, two counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At the time the indictments were handed down, Free was already in police custody on an unrelated matter.
The aftermath of Kejuan Goode's violent death was a period of profound grief for his family. His mother, Dakeshia Goode, spoke of the immense pain of losing her son and made an emotional plea to the community for an end to the violence that had claimed his life. She shared a cherished memory of her son from the day he died, a simple yet poignant moment when he kissed her on the forehead and told her he loved her, a daily ritual that had now become a final, heartbreaking memory. Her words underscored the devastating and lasting impact of such violent acts on families and the wider community.
