NORTH MANKATO — On Friday, Tyson Goodsell’s mind was on the future.
The 17-year-old, fresh off completing his junior year at Mankato West High School, told his mom he was excited to finish high school and move on to the next chapter, preferably some place far away from Mankato.
“He talked about going to college and being successful,” said his mom, Carissa Weber. “He had a few things in mind for college but was leaning towards being an electrician.”
A day later, for reasons that remain under investigation, Tyson was shot and killed in a vehicle in upper North Mankato.
“There really aren’t words for this kind of loss,” Weber said. “Tyson was deeply loved.”
North Mankato police responded at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday to reports of gunshots in the area of Pleasant View Drive and Willow Lane. A short time later, they received additional reports of a passenger vehicle that had crashed into a townhome on Willow Trail.
Upon arrival, officers found Tyson inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound. They initiated life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. He was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities are asking residents to review home surveillance footage for a silver 2010 Chevrolet Impala. No other details have been released.
Fitness enthusiast, big brother
Tyson was dedicated to fitness. He played baseball through ninth grade, ran track in 10th and played hoops with his buddies. But football was his favorite. He played since he was youngster and spent hours in the gym trying to maximize his skills.
“He was doing strength and conditioning at West for football but found going to the Y to be a more effective workout,” Weber said. “Tyson was a small kid. Maybe 5-foot-6 on a good day. But he loved football and knew if he didn’t have the height, he needed the strength and speed.”
“He was extremely fit. He loved working out at the gym and was disciplined and dedicated to fitness and meal planning,” Weber said. “We went to the gym together when he started his fitness journey. Fitness wasn’t a fad thing for Tyson. It was definitely a lifestyle. He was incredibly motivated and driven.”
Tyson also enjoyed fishing, fashion and spending time with his siblings and friends. Weber described him as “the best brother in the world” and said his younger siblings looked up to him.
He was the oldest of four and made sure to always look after his brother, Lincoln, 15, and did everything he could, his mom says, to keep him “on the right track.” Little brother Weston, 5, loved to tease Tyson by calling him “small,” especially when Tyson came home from a workout. Then Tyson would chase him around the kitchen.
“He idolized Tyson,” Weber said. “He wanted to eat the same meals as him, especially more protein. Because one day Weston would be big enough to beat Tyson up — Weston’s words.”
With Cameron, 2, the baby girl of the family, Tyson “vowed to never let her date and always let her boss him around.” He protected her from her other brothers when they were picking on her and tried to comfort her when she was sad.
“There is no other way to describe his love for his siblings,” Weber said. “He was patient and loving. He always knew when to encourage them and tell them they are doing good things but was quick to stop them in their tracks when they were being naughty.”
“He also had an amazing relationship with his dad, Justin [Knoll],” she said. “Justin came into our lives when Tyson was 6. Justin never missed a sports game. He has always been there for profound advice and the occasional dad joke. Justin loved Tyson with his whole heart.
“He was my first child. In many ways, he saved my life. He was the man of the house for a lot of years. He grew up faster than any little boy should have to. Everyone could always count on him. He made us feel safe. He pushed us all to be better,” she said. “Tyson’s smile was infectious. His drive, unmatched. Loyalty, unwavering. We will never have the privilege to see the man Tyson was meant to be. Would he have fallen in love? Move away? We won’t get those answers but, what I do know is he was going to be successful in whatever he did. Our family is shattered and will never be the same.”
Weber said she lives close enough to where the shooting happened that she was able to get to the scene before paramedics Tyson out of the car. He was breathing and unresponsive, and she wasn’t able to speak with him before he died.
The family asks that anyone wishing to to contribute money to do so directly through Weber.