Activist demand resignations in death of youth

Activist demand resignations in death of youth

It wasn't the ideal situation when Arlene Goodall called the Dolton Police Department to assist with her son, but she never imagined the outcome would lead to his death.

Myron Goodall, 27, was a recovering drug addict who battled with minor depression. On Monday, he threatened to take his life by slitting his wrist with a steak knife. With good reason and pleading, Arlene Goodall was able to deter a potential tragedy.

But the tragedy unfolded when she called police.

Goodall insisted Myron go to the hospital for further treatment for his depression. Out of fear he would be transferred back to Tinley Park Mental Health Center, Myron adamantly refused treatment.

That's when Goodall called the police.

"She called the police looking for their help," said Catina Withers, the family's spokesperson.

"They killed him."

Withers said her cousin was stressed for money. He was currently unemployed and needed to provide for his child.

"He was just stressed out about his bills and life," she said.

"He was going to end his life that day but his mother talked him out of it."

Now the Goodall family is demanding answers.

During a press conference Wednesday in front of the Dolton Police Department, the Goodall family, accompanied by Minister Bamani Obadele, said his death was unjust.

"I'm demanding full disclosure and I am demanding that the officers be taken off of the streets pending the investigation," said Obadele.

Dolton Police Chief Joe Westbrook was unavailable for comment but according to the family, when police arrived at the Goodall's home on the 15100 block of South Oak St., police promised Goodall that everything would be resolved.

"They shot him twice, twice in his back and once in the back of his head," said Withers.

A Cook County Medical Examiner's Office spokesperson confirmed Goodall died of multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. The office was unable to say whether the bullets exited his body but the family contends they never exited his body.

A puzzling factor to the Goodall family because there were three gunshot holes in the home. They were not there prior to the shooting.

"If you go to the house right now, there are two bullets in the kitchen floor and one bullet on the bookshelf going into the family room," said Withers.

"They shot more than three times and I believe they did that to cover up their crime."

Obadele said Dolton Mayor Bill Shaw could not run and hide on this issue and should address the matter appropriately.

"I'm challenging the mayor to do the right thing and clean up his police department and fire these police officers," Obadele said.

"Myron was murdered in cold blood."

But what was even more insulting, according to Obadele was that the 27-year-old Dolton resident was a student at Columbia College, majoring in broadcasting. He came from a solid family and as small as the southwest suburban town is, Mayor Shaw did not deliver his condolences to the family.

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