Vigil held for Goshen shooting victim

March 24, 2012|By Clifton French (cfrench@wsbt.com) | WSBT-TV Reporter

GOSHEN -- Family and friends of the man shot and killed in Goshen Thursday evening gathered for a prayer vigil Saturday night.

26-year-old John Staub was found dead in a truck near the intersection of Indiana and Lincoln Avenues. Police say it all stemmed from a domestic fight at a party in the 600 block of River Avenue. One other person was shot in the leg. And a third person, Staub's brother, was injured by broken glass.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Daniels Heflin, 21, is the only one being charged with murder. The rest are facing lesser charges.

"They shot my brother and he died in my lap," James Staub said.

Gathered near the spot where John Staub took his last breath at the intersection of Indiana and Lincoln Avenues, James Staub was surrounded by family and friends as he recalled that night his brother died.

"We went to help a friend get out of a place where he was getting harmed at. The next thing I know, we're just getting shot at." James Staub said.

James says he and his brother went to pick up that friend at this apartment where a fight had broken out. As they were driving down Lincoln Avenue, he says shots rang out. John Staub was killed, his friend was shot in the leg and James Staub was injured by broken glass.

Those who loved John Staub remembered the one they lost at Saturday's vigil.

"He's always been a good kid, he's always been a good kid, he was living with me trying to get his life back on track," said John Staub's father, John Stilley.

Stilley says was John Staub was in the process of turning his life around. He says his son had spent some time in prison for drug charges, but had been out for nearly two years. He says the 26-year-old father of two was currently looking for a job while dedicating himself to his children. His 6-year-old son JJ was at Saturday's vigil.

"Everything I did with my dad was my favorite," JJ said. "You going to miss him?" A reporter asked. "Mmhmm, that was all I was going to say."

"He was a very very loving individual," John Staub's cousin, Brandy Ross said. "He would give you the shirt off his back. He was there for you in the time of need. He just didn't deserve this."

"They took my son's life, I hope they get the death penalty, that's what they deserve," Stilley said.

Staub leaves behind his 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter.

Police have not yet released the details of that fight that led to the shooting. A 17-year-old girl was hurt during that altercation. It's still unclear who was responsible for her injuries.

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