Chicago Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Killing 9-Year-Old

Michael Goodman, 46, received a 40-year prison sentence on November 5 for the 2023 shooting death of Serabi “BiBi” Medina. He pleaded guilty to murder last month under an agreement that set the sentence. He must serve the full term, with no parole possibility.

Prosecutors said Serabi was outside her family’s apartment building in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood on August 5, 2023, when she went to an ice cream truck and returned with two cones. Goodman, whose home was opposite hers, emerged carrying a gun and followed her toward her building’s entrance. He shot her in the head, prosecutors said. Her father tackled Goodman, and the gun fired during the struggle, hitting Goodman in the eye. Serabi later died at a hospital.

Relatives told the court the killing had left their family grieving and divided. They had sought a plea agreement, the family said, to avoid reliving the shooting in a trial and to keep Goodman imprisoned for the rest of his life. Goodman told the court he had mental health problems, did not remember the shooting and had taken a high dose of ketamine bought on the black market. Serabi’s cousin said she did not accept his explanation. Family members said they felt relief that the case had ended, while recognizing that their loss remains.