In a tragic incident that has deeply affected the Houston community, authorities have announced the arrest and charging of two young suspects in connection with the shooting death of a mother who was valiantly trying to protect her two sons while on their way home.
The two individuals implicated in this heart-wrenching crime include a juvenile, highlighting a disturbing trend of youth involvement in serious criminal activities. The Houston Police Department has disclosed that one of the individuals taken into custody is 17-year-old Leashtian Blanks. Blanks faces charges of murder for his alleged role in the fatal shooting that claimed the life of 37-year-old Isha Goff, according to KTRK.
The evening of February 23 turned tragic when, at around 8 p.m., Goff was driving home with her two sons, aged 13 and 3, on 3100 Elmside Drive. It was during this routine journey that the suspects reportedly confronted Goff’s vehicle and unleashed a barrage of gunfire.
Miraculously, Goff’s quick thinking and protective instincts ensured that her sons emerged from the attack unharmed. Her 13-year-old son later recounted to family members how his mother acted as a shield to protect him from the bullets. The identity of the second suspect, a 16-year-old, has been withheld due to his juvenile status, underscoring the youthful age of those involved in this heinous act.
Goff, remembered by her godmother, Gladys Pratt Seahorn, as a vibrant and loving individual, leaves behind a profound void. Goff was a dedicated healthcare worker, a cherished 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 sorrow over the incident, lamenting the involvement of teenagers in such a violent act, especially given their close age to Goff’s eldest son.
The investigation into this tragic event led authorities to the young suspects, initially believed to be in their late teens to early twenties. The police have yet to disclose 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 on 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 the love and spirit of their mother. The family’s resolve to keep Goff’s memory alive for her children underscores the enduring impact of her loss and the community’s collective grief over this senseless act of violence.
