Erie, PA – A birthday celebration turned deadly at an Erie nightclub, resulting in a guilty plea from the son of the birthday woman. Shannon D. Goodwin, 23, admitted to third-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting at Metroplex in December 2022. The incident left one man dead and another injured.
The fatal shooting occurred during a private birthday party for Goodwin’s mother. An altercation broke out, prompting Goodwin to fire at Steve Smith III, killing him, and accidentally shooting his own uncle in the wrist in the process. The violence unfolded after a fight had erupted earlier in the evening, leading to rising tensions at the party.
The guilty plea from Goodwin came just as jury selection was set to begin for his trial in Erie County Common Pleas Court. By admitting to third-degree murder, Goodwin avoided the possibility of a mandatory life sentence that could have resulted from a first-degree murder conviction.
In addition to the murder charges, Goodwin also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a license. The plea deal did not include any sentencing recommendation, leaving Goodwin facing a maximum of 67 years in prison when he appears before Judge John J. Mead for sentencing.
Following the plea hearing, Assistant Erie County District Attorney Steven Liboski disclosed that the District Attorney’s Office had consulted with the Smith family about the plea deal. Additionally, the prosecution dropped seven charges against Goodwin as part of the agreement, including three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.
The shooting was a tragic end to what was supposed to be a joyous occasion, and its aftermath will have lasting consequences for all involved. Goodwin, who has been in custody since his arrest in January 2023, will have an opportunity to address the court at his sentencing, as will family and friends of both the victim and the defendant.
The evidence presented indicated that the shooting was the result of escalating tensions at the birthday party, with the initial altercation stemming from an argument over the sale of a broken PlayStation videogame console. The sequence of events that followed ultimately led to the deadly outcome, with Goodwin’s use of a firearm amplifying the situation’s gravity.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, the plea agreement has brought some closure to the legal proceedings. Goodwin’s fate now lies in the hands of the court, which will determine his sentence at the upcoming hearing.