Monday, January 22, 2024, 6:54 pm News Flash Archive

A mother, along with her three children, were in their home today near Gravel Hill in Carroll County, when a man smashed his truck into their dining room and pursued them through the house wielding a knife.

But their father, who was at work in Greenwood at the time of the incident, had trained them all to seek safety in their "safe room."

The suspect was identified as Steve Lamar Goss, Jr., age 42 of Greenwood.

Steve Lamar Goss Jr, age 42

According to a press release issued by the Carroll County Sheriff's office:

Goss had driven his 2500 GMC Pickup Truck into the dining room of the home after he had been unable to compromise the front door. The mother prayed and her children recited scripture even as they heard Goss kicking in the doors inside their home. He eventually found them hiding in the closet that was designated as the family's safe room. The mother shot him as he entered the closet still holding the knife. Goss then fled the scene.

Deputies intercepted him on the road with a felony vehicle stop, whereupon he exited his vehicle and fled for refuge into Acy's Store.

The suspect was arrested by Carroll County deputies in the store, and was transported to the Greenwood Leflore Hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm.

After receiving treatment, he was booked into the Carroll Montgomery Regional Correctional Facility on four counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary.

At the time of today's incident, Goss was out on bond after being previously charged with possession of a weapon by a felon.

Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker commended the father for having an emergency plan, and for preparing his wife and children for just such a situation:

We can all learn a lot from this family about the importance of having an emergency plan in place in our homes and most importantly the power of prayer.

I thank the Lord for this father's preparation; the bravery shown by the mother and children, and that what could have been a tragedy was transformed into a testimony of their faith in God.

The entire press release on this incident may be read here: Carroll County Sheriff's Office Press Release regarding Home Invasion

John Pittman Hey
The Taxpayers Channel

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