In Hemet, California, a 27-year-old woman, Autumn Goodwin, was taken into custody on Friday on suspicion of a fatal stabbing incident. The victim, identified as Shawna Weems, a 28-year-old mother of three, had reportedly asked Goodwin and a man to stop using drugs near her apartment where her children were sleeping.
The arrest was made while executing a search warrant in the 600 block of Vista Del Monte. Goodwin’s bail has been set at $1 million. The Hemet police, however, have not provided further details about the circumstances leading to the stabbing.
According to the victim’s family, Weems had confronted Goodwin and a man about their drug use outside her children’s bedroom. During the confrontation, Goodwin allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Weems multiple times. Cody Weems, the victim’s husband, confirmed the incident but declined to discuss it further.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for the bereaved family. The campaign post highlighted the tragic reality that Weems’ children will now have to grow up without their mother while her husband is left to pick up the pieces.
The stabbing incident occurred on Monday in the 1000 block of South Gilbert Street in Hemet, about 90 miles east of Los Angeles. Witnesses reported a heated argument preceding the attack, after which the alleged assailant fled the scene in an RV. Hemet police received multiple calls about a disturbance around 12:35 a.m. Upon arrival, they found Weems suffering from several stab wounds. Despite attempts to save her, Weems succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital.
Goodwin was apprehended two blocks away from the crime scene on Friday. The tragic incident has left Weems’ three children without a mother and a community in shock. A vigil is being planned at the apartment complex where Weems was killed.