On a summer evening in Indianapolis, Indiana, what began as a dispute simmering on social media erupted into a tragedy that claimed the life of a young mother. Kayla Noel Goggins, an 18-year-old female, was fatally shot in the chest on June 19, 2015. The vibrant young woman, remembered by her mother as 'fun and goofy and loveable,' was the mother of a nine-month-old son.
The incident unfolded around 11 p.m.
in the 6500 block of Crandall Circle, where police were called to respond to reports of a large fight. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Goggins unresponsive. Despite the efforts of medics at the scene, she succumbed to her injuries. Authorities believe the confrontation that led to the shooting was the culmination of an ongoing conflict that had originated online months prior.
In the wake of the shooting, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department swiftly identified a suspect. The following evening, a 14-year-old male was taken into custody without incident in connection with Goggins' death. He was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder and was being held as a juvenile. At the time of the arrest, the Marion County prosecutor's office was reviewing the case to determine what, if any, formal charges would be filed against the teenage suspect.
While the initial arrest was widely reported, public information regarding the subsequent legal proceedings is scarce. Due to the suspect's age, details of the case, including the final charges and the outcome of any trial or conviction, have not been publicly disclosed. The memory of Kayla Goggins is preserved by her family and friends, who gathered for her funeral services on June 24, 2015, to mourn the profound loss of a young life cut short by violence.
