Trendell Goodwin, a 28-year-old man, has been arrested for shooting and killing his former girlfriend, 17-year-old LaShonda Childs in Dayton, Ohio. Childs had attempted to break up with him on several occasions.
Goodwin is currently being held in a Montgomery County jail and has been charged with a count of felonious assault, the Dayton Daily News reports.
Childs died Wednesday from wounds sustained in a domestic dispute the day before. She died just two days before her 18th birthday.
According to close family members, the teen tried breaking up with her estranged former boyfriend numerous times over the last few months. She'd even filed a restraining order because she feared Goodwin would act violently following their breakup. Unfortunately, the protection order was never served because Goodwin avoided it.
Shortly before being shot, Childs called 911.
“This dude got a gun pointed to my boyfriend’s head,” the teen told the dispatcher on Tuesday. “I’ve got a restraining order on him. The police told me to call when I see him. I gave you the address. Can’t you just send somebody out there? I’m scared. He’s got a gun. I can’t talk … I can’t talk. I’m in a bad situation.”
Officers arrived at the scene, but only in time for Childs to be taken to the hospital. Goodwin had fled and was apprehended not long after.
The 28-year-old had a history of violent behavior and abuse. A February 2018 police report noted numerous wounds Childs told the officer Goodwin gave her; Goodwin also threatened to kill someone who commented on one of his Facebook posts, according to police.
Before the fatal incident, LaShonda wrote in a social media post about the abuse she said she suffered at his hands, including being held at gunpoint.
Lashonda Childs made this post a week and a half ago. Today she died after being shot by that same man. She was literally crying out for help this is absolutely heart breaking. pic.twitter.com/QBy01CimPt
— Kennedy ✨ (@HelloKennedi) October 4, 2018
Local news outlet WKOV reports the two started dating in September of 2017, and their relationship soon soured when Childs discovered he'd lied to her about being 20 years old.
At the beginning of 2018, Goodwin reportedly bit the teen hard enough to draw blood. He also harassed her family and reportedly stole from her on multiple occasions.
“He was the type of guy who would call you 70 times a day,” Nina Childs, LaShonda's mother, said. “Nonstop. It was aggravating as well as annoying and scary.”
Childs' death sparked conversations on social media about the repercussions of domestic violence and how police go about protecting those who ask for help with former and current partners.
We all have failed as a community. My heart is broken and I’m highly upset. Pretty girl, LaShonda Childs you will be missed and your story will give strength to others who need it in similar Domestic Violence situations.
Rest up beautiful.???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/MMFFQFJqFm— Kye???????? (@GxldSociety) October 3, 2018
17yr-old LaShonda Childs had a job, owned a business, looked after her family, and went back to school to continue her education, but just two days shy of her 18th birthday, she was murdered by a 28yr-old man who would not take "no" for an answer. #LaShondaChilds
pic.twitter.com/gNwgbjR29b— Maco Monthervil✊???????????? (@MacoMonthervil) October 4, 2018
A short thread about #DomesticAbuse. This is extremely sad: A 17 year old girl #LaShondaChilds broke up with her ex 28 year old boyfriend after figuring out he was not 20 like he claimed. She found herself a new boyfriend.
— Tanisha Crump 😉 (@NishaLovesNike) October 3, 2018
“I just want to tell all the young girls, all the females, families, friends, if you see the signs, don’t ignore them,” Jaylon Childs, LaShonda's brother, said. “Do what you got to do. Use the resources. There’s too many out here not to.”
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