Sister’s emotions erupt as brother’s accused killer faces judge: ‘Complete anger’

Emotions ran high at the Wake County Justice Center on Wednesday as the man accused of killing 55-year-old Derick Godwin made his first court appearance.

Investigators say 24-year-old Rueben Santiago shot Godwin in the head during Thursday’s morning commute on U.S. 64 near Lizard Lick. Godwin did not survive. Santiago is now charged with first-degree murder.

Godwin’s sister, Faith Dullaghan, attended the hearing and became overwhelmed the moment she saw her brother’s accused killer.

“Complete anger. Complete anger. I thought that I had it under control,” she said, recalling the moment she shouted from the gallery before the judge told her, “Ma’am sit down or leave.”

Dullaghan said she didn’t expect to react the way she did, but seeing Santiago in person felt far different than looking at photos. “When he came out, all I could feel was anger.”

She believes her brother’s death was the result of road rage.

“He didn’t have to kill him, and the grief is beyond what you can understand when it’s such a senseless death,” she said.

As she mourns, Dullaghan is remembering her brother as a compassionate, hard-working man who “had an infectious smile”.

“He was always funny. I want people to remember that silly, comical laugh that he had,” she said. “I loved my brother and my brother loved me.”

She now hopes to start a foundation aimed at combating road rage.

“We need to focus on the problem. Why are people so angry that they go out and want to take someone else’s life?” she said. “No one wants this to happen to their brother, their uncle, their son, their father. It’s just horrific.”

Dullaghan said she is committed to pursuing justice for Godwin in the months ahead.

“I will be a force for my brother for as long as I live,” she said.

Santiago asked for a court-appointed capital defender and will remain held without bail. If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty.

ABC11 is The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner.

This story was originally published November 27, 2025 at 8:33 AM.