GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — A man accused of shooting and killing a 19-year-old had his first court appearance on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
Kevin Zaire Lavaughn McLean, 27, was arrested on Monday, Aug. 12 and he is being charged with first-degree murder for the death of Jakayla Goode.
Neighbors described Jakayla Goode as a sweet and pleasant young girl who always enjoyed taking a neighborhood stroll but her life was tragically cut short. The Guilford County District Attorney's Office says her boyfriend killed her.
Ronda Smith, a resident of the neighborhood, recalled, "As she was walking through, I would just wave, but usually she had on some headphones, the earbuds, or the over-ears. And she's either talking to somebody on the phone or she's listening to music," said Ronda Smith, The President of the Springhaven Homeowners Association.
Officers responded to the scene after a caller expressed concern about a person lying on a picnic table under a pavilion in the park at that location.
The caller said the person was not moving and said they heard what they thought were fireworks about an hour earlier. After closer inspection, the caller said the person was not breathing and had injuries that the caller described as gunshot wounds.
Officers identified the victim as Goode. EMS pronounced her dead at the scene.
WFMY News 2 was in court when prosecutors said police found Goode's bag next to her body. It had materials that indicated her boyfriend was named Kevin, which is the suspected killer's name.
Security camera footage from neighbors mentioned in court allegedly shows McLean following Goode down the street. Allegedly, they stop at the park and have a conversation. Then, he allegedly shoots her multiple times and kills her.
Then, he walks back to his apartment on Queensberry Court.
"The video footage captured [Kevin McLean] that had been with her walking back coming back toward that area," said Assistant District Attorney Kelly Thompson said. "It appeared that Mrs. Goode had been shot at close distance and shot multiple times."
Neighbors say they’re glad police arrested a suspect but admit the shooting has left them on edge. The president of the homeowners association said neighbors want justice.
"He needs to get what he deserves because, again, she was a young girl," Smith said. "She didn't deserve this, and you ended her life. So let the powers that be do what they need to do for you."
McLean is being held without bond. His next court appearance is on Oct. 15.
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