From Law & Crime · · 2m
87-year-old woman attacked while helping young man find clothes
Tennessee woman recovering from home invasion after trying to help young person find school clothes.
In brief
Tennessee woman recovering from home invasion after trying to help young person find school clothes. Dr. Ellena Gooch-Reid, 87, was beaten and left for dead by two suspects in a home invasion on Sept. 9 in Ripley, Tennessee. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
87-year-old woman attacked
Dr. Ellena Gooch-Reid, 87, was beaten and left for dead during a home invasion on Sept. 9 in Ripley, Tennessee.
“I had helped someone, a young person, to get some clothes for school”
Police issue arrest warrants
Ripley Police Chief Mitchell Turner announced warrants for Kevin Harper Jr. and an unnamed juvenile suspect.
“warrants were issued for the arrests of two suspects”
Suspects face multiple charges
Both suspects face attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated robbery, and aggravated abuse of an elderly person.
“face several felony charges in connection with the alleged attack”
Woman recovering from injuries
Gooch-Reid has been in and out of the hospital since the attack but is recovering from nine wounds in her head, chest, and arms.
“I am reliving the experience through nightmares”
Wounded woman describes attack
Gooch-Reid told WMC she was attacked by an older man who hit her in the head with his fist and open hand.
“I believe he was the one who came into my house and robbed me”
Hospital report details injuries
A police report states Gooch-Reid had fractures in her right hand and left arm and was found in a puddle of her own blood.
“found on the floor in a puddle of her own blood”
Civil rights activist background
Gooch-Reid is a civil rights activist and minister who once stood alongside the late Rep. John Lewis.
“civil rights activist and minister”
WMC interview with victim
WMC conducted an interview with Gooch-Reid as she recovered from the attack.
“nine wounds in her head, chest and arms”
No arrests made yet
Neither suspect has been arrested as of Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
“neither suspect has been arrested as of Wednesday”
Police report details
Gooch-Reid was found on the floor in a puddle of her own blood with fractures in her right hand and left arm.
“found on the floor in a puddle of her own blood”
Victim's current condition
Gooch-Reid is recovering from being beaten and left for dead during the home invasion.
“recovery from being beaten and left for dead”
Suspects' legal status
Both suspects face multiple felony charges including attempted second-degree murder and aggravated abuse of an elderly person.
“face several felony charges in connection with the alleged attack”
Wounded woman's experience
Gooch-Reid described reliving the attack through nightmares and having nine wounds in her head, chest, and arms.
“I am reliving the experience through nightmares”
Home invasion details
Gooch-Reid was attacked while trying to help a young person find school clothes for their education.
“I had helped someone, a young person, to get some clothes for school”
Current status of case
The case is ongoing with no arrests made as of Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
“neither suspect has been arrested as of Wednesday”
The bottom line
Dr. Ellena Gooch-Reid, 87, was beaten and left for dead by two suspects in a home invasion on Sept. 9 in Ripley, Tennessee.
