Moriah Hope Goode, an 18-year-old female from Bradenton, FL, tragically lost her life on November 6, 2016. Moriah was shot in the 3300 block of Fourth Street East in Bradenton. Despite being rushed to Manatee Memorial Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries. The incident occurred in the late afternoon, around 4:30 p.m., when Moriah was a passenger in a vehicle.
During an altercation between her friend, Frank Brice, and another individual, Devon Lee Freeman, Freeman fired 18 rounds from a handgun, one of which struck Moriah in the heart.
Devon Lee Freeman, a 21-year-old male from Sarasota, was arrested on November 9, 2016, and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Moriah's death. Freeman was found in Sarasota and transported to the Sarasota County jail. Throughout the legal proceedings, Freeman's defense argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming that Brice had shown him a gun and threatened him. However, the court found no evidence to support this claim, and Freeman's stand-your-ground defense was denied.
In January 2019, Freeman pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of manslaughter and was subsequently sentenced to 13.5 years in prison. The judge also ordered Freeman to attend an anger management course and serve 18 months of probation following his release. The court proceedings revealed that Moriah was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of the altercation between Freeman and Brice. Moriah's family and friends expressed their grief and called for a maximum sentence for Freeman, while his supporters sought leniency.
Moriah Hope Goode's death was a profound loss to her community. She was remembered as a vibrant young woman who had overcome significant health challenges, including an autoimmune disease that had gone into remission following successful treatments. Her passing left a lasting impact on those who knew her, and her memory continues to be honored by her family and friends.
