Fatal shooting: Soldier's victim was his superior
by Adriana M. Chávez \ El Paso Times
Posted: December 1, 2011 12:00:00 a.m. MST
From l-r: Kelvin Gooding, Master Sgt. Lykisha "Kisha" Gooding, and James Steadman
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A Fort Bliss soldier may have shot and killed another soldier -- his supervisor -- on Monday because he faced disciplinary action, police said Wednesday.
Sgt. 1st Class James Steadman, 41, allegedly went to the home of Master Sgt. Lykisha "Kisha" Gooding, 39, and her husband Kelvin Gooding, 44, around 6:30 a.m. Police said Steadman first shot and wounded Kelvin Gooding, then went to the home's second floor and shot Lykisha Gooding several times, killing her.
As Steadman ran out of the home, he exchanged gunfire with Kelvin Gooding, who was able to shoot Steadman in the leg. Steadman then fled to his apartment in the 8900 block of Kenneth in Northeast El Paso. At the apartment, Steadman and his wife began fighting. During the fight, Steadman was shot and later died, police said.
Police have said a young boy inside the home at the time of the first shooting managed to escape safely. According to radio emergency transmissions, dispatchers received a call from a boy about the first shooting.
Fort Bliss officials said Wednesday that Steadman and Lykisha Gooding were both assigned to the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Bliss. Police said she was Steadman's supervisor.
"There was pending disciplinary action that had been filed by Gooding against Steadman," police said in a news release.
Police have not identified Steadman's wife, nor have they indicated whether she faces any charges.
Lykisha Gooding was an aspiring country singer and mother of three who hosted a yard sale at her home in October. Neighbors have said that during the yard sale, family members said they were getting ready to deploy overseas.
Steadman's family and friends have expressed surprise at the shootings, calling it out of character for Steadman. They also described him as a dedicated soldier and family man who had deployed several times to Kuwait, Afghanistan and Germany.
Adriana M. Chávez may be reached at achavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6117.
[Thanks to reader-researcher RC for this story.]
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