Shooting victimwanted tomake impact
When Casey COLUMBUS —
Goodson Jr. thought about his future, the 23-yearold thought about how he wanted more than an ordinary life, hewanted to make an impact on the world.
Goodson died on Dec. 4 after he was shot by a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy while entering his Northeast Side home.
At his funeral onWednesday at First Church of God on the Southeast Side, his family and others said they will make sure his life isn’t ordinary, and that instead, he will change the world.
“I believe Casey’s purpose is to change the world,” his mother, Tamala Payne, said from the pulpit. “I believe Casey’snamewill savemany other Black and brown boys who are not safe from the racist police, I believe my son’s name will ring across the mountains.”
Thefamily’s attorney, Sean Walton, spoke about how Casey used to stay up late at night talking to his friend about what he wanted in life, for it not to be ordinary.
“Casey truly had no idea just howmuch not only his life, but his death, would change our world,” Walton said. “Casey Christopher Goodson Jr. is going to change our world.”
Walton said Goodson’s death has to lead to an awakening for the city and the country.
“It is so scary to think that no matter what we do as Black people, the most mundane day can lead to our deaths,” Walton said. “We’re not protected in this city andwe’re not protected in this country but this is not the end of our story and it’s not the end for Casey either. Just as he wished, his life is going to mean so much to all of us.”
In Goodson’s honor, the crowd of invited guestswore a smattering of red, black and white, which Goodson’s mother said were her son’s colors. Bishop Timothy Clarke, senior pastor, presided over the service, which included several songs and a standing ovation for Goodson.
“He was a good son,”
Clarke said. “A good son to Tamala, a good son to his grandmother, a good son to his siblings, and he was a good son to this city and this city is the less because Casey does notwalk among us anymore.”
Goodson’s death has been surrounded by controversy, as the family says the young Black man was entering his home with food for his family when he was shot three times in the back.
Lawenforcement officials have said the SWAT deputy, assigned to a U.S. Marshal’s office fugitive task force, had just finished an unsuccessful search for a suspect near Goodson’s house when he saw Goodson drive by waving a gunat him. U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio Peter Tobin said Deputy JasonMeadewent toconfront Goodson, told him to drop his gun and then shot when he didn’t.
In thedays following, activists and Goodson’s family members hosted peaceful protests Downtown. The shooting is still being investigated.
The family released a statement about the funeral through attorney SeanWalton.
“We are so grateful for the supportandprayers fromthe community, both in Columbus and nation-wide, as we mourn the loss of Casey,” the statement reads. “Our family is forever changed by his tragic and unnecessary loss.”
Now, Goodson’s family is stating that they appreciate an opportunity to lay him to rest and “grieve in peace.”