The Hardin County community is devastated from the double homicide that claimed the life of Khalil Ahmadrian Gooch, 29, of Kountze, Texas, on November 30, 2025. Deputies from the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 2:30 a.m. in the 4000 block of Fresenius Road near Silsbee. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of two men with gunshot wounds near the roadway.
Gooch and 36-year-old Henry Carey Jr., also of Kountze, had been shot multiple times in what authorities describe as a targeted disturbance linked to a minor motor vehicle accident.
Justice of the Peace Rod Ousley ordered autopsies for both victims, with the Silsbee and Lumberton Police Departments assisting the investigation. Two persons of interest have been detained, and detectives are speaking with witnesses to reconstruct the events.
The shooting unfolded after a fender-bender escalated into a confrontation, with suspects demanding compensation instead of calling authorities. When the victims did not comply, gunfire erupted, firing more than a half-dozen shots. Shell casings and other evidence were collected at the scene, and the probe continues to determine the full sequence leading to the fatal outcome.
Khalil Ahmadrian Gooch grew up in the neighborhoods of Kountze, where family traditions and local events nurtured his resilient spirit from childhood. A graduate of Kountze High School in 2014, he pursued vocational training in automotive repair, channeling his mechanical aptitude into hands-on work. These early years shaped a young man whose determination and easygoing charm drew others near.
Professionally, Gooch worked as a skilled technician in Hardin County’s energy sector, known among colleagues for his reliability during demanding shifts. He balanced roles with community involvement, volunteering at youth programs and supporting local festivals. His career reflected the hardworking ethos of East Texas residents, fostering bonds that extended beyond work hours.
Gooch’s world revolved around his devoted family, where he cherished his role as son and brother, creating joyful moments through shared meals and weekend outings along the Neches River.
Though his time ended abruptly, Khalil Ahmadrian Gooch’s legacy of steadiness inspires Kountze to hold kin close and seek justice. Memorial arrangements are forthcoming through local services, uniting all in remembrance of the extraordinary young man whose light endures in Hardin County’s hearts.
