Trendell Goodwin’s father says teen’s death is a ‘tragedy’ for both families

DAYTON — Trendell Goodwin’s father said that the death of LaShonda Childs is a tragedy for both families.

Goodwin was charged with two counts of murder, three counts of felonious assault and illegally discharging a firearm in the shooting death of 17-year-old Childs.

“It’s a very bad tragedy for both families,” said Goodwin’s father, who asked that we not publish him name. “More so for her family because she lost her life.”

Goodwin’s father said he’s upset and grieving, even though he knows it doesn’t compare to the loss suffered by Childs’ family

He did have a message for them though.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said. “It’s too late to say I wish things could have been different.”

A Dayton Municipal Court document obtained Thursday said Goodwin fired “multiple rounds from a firearm into the passenger compartment of a 2006 Chevy Impala.”

Childs’ family said she was hit three times.

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Childs’ boyfriend drove her to the hospital, but doctors couldn’t save her.

Dayton police reports from the last year showed almost a dozen incidents between Goodwin and Childs.

“There’s two sides to every story,” said Goodwin’s father.

He said that his son, who he spoke to about once a month, told him that Childs’ boyfriend once pulled a gun on him.

Still he knows a lot of people have a very different opinion of his son.

“He’s not an angel, but he’s not a devil,” Goodwin’s father said. “He’s not public enemy number one.”

Goodwin’s father is not asking for people to forget Childs’ death. He is asking people to reserve judgment.

“I believe that anyone that commits a crime should be punished in one capacity or another,” he said. “If it’s proven that he did it, he deserves to be punished.”