COLUMBUS, Ohio — Chants of Casey Goodson Jr.’s name could be heard in Columbus Saturday. The 23-year-old was shot by a Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy in December 2020.
The protest outside of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court was organized by Goodson Jr.'s mother Tamala Payne.
“I saw it through a couple group chats I'm in that are with active organizers and activists in the community, saw the call to action and came,” said protester Jordan Mays.
This isn’t Mays' first protest and he said it won’t be his last.
“This is happening everywhere whether people are paying attention or not and we need to be vigilant.”
Saturday marked day 238 since the death of Goodson.
Investigators say he was shot and killed by former Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Meade. Meade retired on disability July 2, something Payne said is frustrating.
“He bragged about how much he loved his job, so if you are a man that loves your job so much and you're so innocent, then why would you quit your job?” said Payne.
The family’s attorney, Sean Walton, said the investigation is still active.
He said that’s why they continue to organize community protests.
“The system needs to allow this family to grieve and heal and this community needs to grieve and heal,” said Walton.
Around 100 people were at the protest.
Saturday was Payne’s birthday.