In a tragic incident that has deeply affected the Houston community, authorities announced the arrest and charging of two young suspects in connection with the shooting death of a mother who was bravely trying to protect her two children as they returned home.
Between the two individuals involved in this heartbreaking crime was a minor, highlighting a disturbing trend of youth involvement in serious criminal activity. The Houston Police Department has revealed that one of the people detained is 17-year-old Leashtian Blanks. Blanks faces murder charges for her alleged role in the fatal shooting that claimed the life of Isha Goff, 37, according to KTRK.
The night of February 23 turned tragic when, around 8 p.m., Goff was driving home with her two children, ages 13 and 3, to 3100 Elmside Drive. It was during this routine trip that the suspects reportedly confronted Goff’s vehicle and unleashed a volley of gunfire.
Miraculously, Goff’s quick thinking and protective instincts ensured that his children emerged from the attack unscathed. His 13-year-old son later told his family how his mother acted as a shield to protect him from the bullets. The identity of the second suspect, a 16-year-old boy, has been withheld due to his status as a minor, which underlines the young age of those involved in this heinous act.
Goff, remembered by her godmother, Gladys Pratt Seahorn, as a vibrant and loving person, leaves behind a deep void. Goff was a dedicated healthcare worker, a valued vocalist in her church choir, and a devoted wife and mother to her three children, including a 1-year-old daughter. Seahorn, who is also a local pastor, expressed her deep regret over the incident, lamenting the involvement of teenagers in such a violent act, especially given her proximity in age to Goff’s eldest son.
The investigation into this tragic event led authorities to the young suspects, initially believed to be between 10 and 20 years old. Police have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting. Court records reveal that at the time of the shooting, Blanks was already under supervision for a previous felony, adding a layer of complexity to his involvement in this crime.
During a court appearance Wednesday afternoon, a hearing officer set Blanks’ bond at $150,000. As the legal process unfolds, Seahorn shared with ABC13 the family’s commitment to ensuring Goff’s children remember their mother’s love and spirit. The family’s determination to keep Goff’s memory alive for her children underscores the lasting impact of her loss and the community’s collective grief over this senseless act of violence.
