Erie, Pennsylvania – A birthday celebration at a nightclub turned deadly on December 30, 2022, when 23-year-old Shannon D. Goodwin shot and killed a man and injured his own uncle. The tragic incident occurred at the Metroplex on Buffalo Road during a private party for Goodwin’s mother. Goodwin has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and shooting his uncle, avoiding the risk of a mandatory life sentence for first-degree murder.
According to Assistant Erie County District Attorney Steven Liboski, the shooting took place after a fight broke out at the party, leading Goodwin to become upset. As tensions rose, Goodwin fired shots at Steve Smith, killing him, and also injured his uncle. Goodwin’s defense lawyer, Rodney Blaine Jones II, mentioned in court that Goodwin’s license to carry the 9mm handgun used in the killing had lapsed unbeknownst to him.
The plea deal allows Goodwin to avoid a mandatory life sentence, but he still faces up to 67 years in state prison at his sentencing in April. The District Attorney’s Office consulted with the Smith family before offering the plea deal to Goodwin. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a license, both of which come with additional maximum sentence terms.
The shooting was reported to have occurred after a dispute over a broken PlayStation video game console, which led to a fight. When Smith attempted to intervene, Goodwin threw a chair, hitting Smith, and escalating the situation. The evidence presented at the plea hearing showed that the shooting was a deliberate act aimed at Smith, according to Liboski.
The tragic incident has left the community in shock, with friends and relatives of both the victim and the defendant expected to address the court at the upcoming sentencing hearing. Goodwin has been in custody since his arrest in January 2023 but will have the opportunity to speak at the hearing. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, the upcoming sentencing will provide an opportunity for both sides to seek closure and justice.