In the autumn of 1994, a horrific act of violence shattered the community of Richmond, Virginia, forever marking the memory of Daphne R. Jones. A 29-year-old Black/African American woman, her life was tragically cut short on October 14, 1994, in what became known as the Gilpin Court Massacre. The events of that day unfolded within the walls of her family's apartment in the Gilpin Court housing project, a place that should have been a sanctuary.
The perpetrator was 20-year-old Christopher
'Pops' Goins, a crack dealer from New York City. His rage was reportedly ignited by the discovery that a 14-year-old girl in the household, Tamika Jones, was pregnant with his child, a secret that had been revealed to his primary girlfriend. In a brutal act of vengeance, Goins entered the apartment at 1008 St. James Street armed with a Glock. 45 caliber pistol and systematically took the lives of those inside.
Daphne Jones was among the five people murdered that morning. She was shot four times, with two fatal wounds to her head. Also killed were her boyfriend, James Randolph, and three of her children: Nicole, David, and Robert. The scene was one of unimaginable horror, with one child found deceased in a crib and another having fallen at Daphne's leg. The violence was indiscriminate, a rampage that left a family decimated.
Despite the carnage, there was a survivor. Tamika Jones, though shot multiple times, managed to call 911 and identify Goins as the shooter. Her unborn child tragically absorbed most of the impact from the bullets. This courageous act was instrumental in the subsequent investigation. A month later, Christopher Goins was apprehended in Brooklyn, New York, along with his girlfriend. Throughout his trial, he showed no remorse for his actions. He was ultimately convicted of capital murder and four counts of first-degree murder, among other charges. Goins was sentenced to death and was executed by lethal injection in December of 2000. The Gilpin Court Massacre remains a dark chapter in Richmond's history, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drug-related violence. The community mourned the loss of Daphne Jones and her family, with over 3,000 people attending their funeral service.
