On Sunday March 28, 1982 a confrontation between a group of teenagers and two undercover police offices would bring to light one of the most successful and highly organized black gangs this nation has ever produced. At 11:05 officers William Green and Eric Byers were shot after a brief exchance with a 17 year old member of the Young Boys Inc., heroin ring. According to Goins own statement he shot both officers because he feared they were robbers attempting to rob what was then a Y.B.I stronghold in front of the Ambassador Convalescent Center on Woodward Avenue. Goins happened upon the officers who were questioning a large group of teenagers about violating the cities curfew. Goins reportedly opened fire on the two officers after being ordered to join the group from across the street. After approaching the two officers, Goins drew a handgun from his waist and shot both officers at close range before fleeing into the darkness. Officer William Green was pronounced dead at Detroit Receiving Hospital after being struck once in the head while his partner was wounded in the shoulder during the attack. Less than an hour after the shooting, officers arrested Goins near the scene.
A Troubled Youth
Goins involvement with the Young Boys ring was well known to law enforcement officials who used his actions to launch an attack which eventually led to the dismantling of the ring. Goins had a rap sheet which included an entry for posession of a firearm as a 13 year old. A year later Goins was found guilty of attempted robbery and sentenced to probation. His probationary sentence ended in September of 1981 just six months before the deadly encounter. After a swift trial, Carey Vincent Goins was sentenced in recorders court to 12 years to life for murder on November 11, 1982. Little more than a month later officers launched a sweep which netted many of the ranking figures in the notorious drug ring which netted nearly a half million in sales per month.
