In the quiet early morning hours of October 14, 1994, a wave of violence shattered the Gilpin Court housing project in Richmond, Virginia, forever marking it as the scene of a horrific massacre. Among the innocent lives lost was that of Nicole E. Jones, a nine-year-old African American girl. The tragedy unfolded within the supposed safety of her family's apartment at 1008 St.
James Street, where a dispute escalated into a brutal act of violence that would claim the lives of five members of her family. The children were still in their pajamas when the gunman, Christopher 'Pops' Goins, a 20-year-old crack dealer from New York City, forced his way inside.
The motive for this devastating act was rooted in a personal conflict. Goins was enraged that his 14-year-old girlfriend, Tamika Jones, who was seven months pregnant with his child, had her pregnancy discovered by his primary girlfriend. In a fit of rage, Goins entered the apartment and, with a Glock. 45 caliber pistol, opened fire at close range. The attack was merciless, claiming the lives of Nicole, her mother Daphne Jones, 29, her brothers David Jones, 4, and Robert Jones, 3, and another family member, James Randolph, 35. One of the children was tragically killed in a crib, while another died clinging to their mother's leg.
In a remarkable act of survival and bravery, Tamika Jones, despite being shot nine times, managed to call 911 and identify Goins as the assailant. Her courageous testimony would later be crucial in bringing him to justice. The sole survivor of the immediate family, she also managed to shield her 20-month-old sister from the gunfire, saving her life. The aftermath of the shooting sent shockwaves through the Richmond community, with over 3,000 people attending the funeral for the victims, a testament to the profound loss felt by the city.
A month after the massacre, Christopher Goins was apprehended in Brooklyn, New York, along with his girlfriend. He was subsequently charged with capital murder and a host of other serious offenses, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons charges. During his trial, the harrowing testimony of Tamika Jones painted a vivid and disturbing picture of the events that transpired. Ultimately, Goins was found guilty on all charges and received a death sentence. He remained unrepentant for his crimes and was executed by lethal injection in December of 2000.
