Family of Glasgow shooting victim to hold tree ceremony in her memory

GLASGOW, Ky. – The family of the Glasgow victims of a fatal shooting in early April are speaking out in remembrance of a mother’s legacy. 

“She was a good person. She was kind hearted. She was a caring person. She acted and loved everyone,” said Alisha Carter, the mother of Ava Woodcock, a victim of the shooting.

Ava Woodcock was a mother, daughter, sister and friend, her family says. They say she loved the community and animals, and she was a selfless person who believed in serving others. 

“I can’t say enough good things about her. She was one of my best friends. It was the first phone call I got every morning and pretty much the last phone call at night,” her mother said.

The Hart County High School graduate loved spending time with her family and making memories to laugh at later.

“She always had that big smile on her face,” said Gabriel Woodcock, Ava’s little brother.

Gabriel Woodcock said on April 6, he saw his sister at her job and had a conversation ending in her big smile. He said that was the last time he saw his sister responsive.

“I get a phone call from Ava’s father, and he says we had just looked on social media and Lyric said, ‘Mom, there’s been a shooting in Glasgow,’” Carter explained.

Then the details regarding the shooting came forward with a familiar name. The family heard Brandon Bond had allegedly shot someone.

“He had heard over the scanner who it was (Brandon) and asked, ‘has anyone talked to Ava?’ And he said, ‘no.’ I hung up on him, and I just started calling her, and she never answered,” Carter said.

After the calls went unanswered, her family continued to search and eventually made a heartbreaking discovery.

“I got a call from my girlfriend, and she told me that the person that had been shot was Ava,” Gabriel Woodcock said.

Ava Woodcock and her unborn baby, Neveah, were flown to a Louisville hospital, where they both succumbed to the gunshot injuries. 

Her organs were donated to help save the lives of others, the family says. Ava’s father, Wesley Woodcock, said in a letter to her organ recipients:

“Although losing her has been devastating, our family finds solace in knowing that her final on this earth was one of extraordinary generosity… An act rooted in compassion has given others the change to live fuller and healthier lives.”

Ava Woodcock’s mother still holds on to the little girl who used to sneak milk jugs under her bed and facetime her all the time.

Although Ava is not here physically, her mother still makes those phone calls every day, hands together, on her knees, asking God to send her message to her daughter.

“I still talk to her. I actually write her letters often to tell her how things are going. So, I still kind of talk to her and always ask Jesus when I’m praying, tell Ava I love her and I know without a doubt he tells her,” Alisha said.

The family wants the community to know that if you or anyone you know are suffering in silence, to speak out.

“If you have problems at home, tell people,” Gabriel Woodcock said.

“If you need help, rather than domestic violence or any type of abuse, ask someone. Ask someone, don’t wait until it’s too late,” Carter said.

Bond, the suspect, has a $2 million cash bond and has been charged with murder, fetal homicide and fleeing or evading police. He was last seen in court Oct. 13. His next pretrial conference is set for Jan. 25 in 2027.

In remembrance of Ava, the family will be holding a tree ceremony Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. on 2109 River St. in Bowling Green. Ava also leaves behind a baby girl, Chloe. Ava’s brother, Gabriel, and his girlfriend, Lyric, plan to adopt her.

They have created a GoFundMe to support Chloe during this difficult time in her life. The link is here.

We will keep following this story for you.