Shannon J. Miles, 30, was arraigned for capital murder on Monday morning in the Friday shooting of Deputy Darren Goforth, 47. The large and imposing Miles stood calmly and answered Judge Denise Collins’ questions in a low voice, saying mostly “Yes, ma’am” or “No, ma’am.” Collins twice had to prompt Goforth to address her as "ma'am." The courtroom was jammed with police, who listened as Anderson described video surveillance footage of Goforth’s killing.
A figure identified by cops as Miles is seen on video ambushing Goforth from behind while the officer refuels his car at a gas station. The shooter fires his weapon at the back of Goforth’s head and, when Goforth falls to the ground, the shooter stands over Goforth’s body and unloads the rest of his ammo.
While police were able to immediately identify the shooter’s vehicle as being a red Ford Ranger, they couldn’t make out the license plate. But identifying characteristics, such as a white cooler in the bed of the pickup and a market trailer hitch, helped lead investigators to Miles.
When cops searched the garage at Miles’ home, they found the white cooler and also located a .40 caliber pistol that Anderson said ballistics later determined was the murder weapon. The gun was found loaded with Aguila bullets, the same type as the casings found at the crime scene.
