Erie, Pennsylvania – Shannon D. Goodwin found himself in a situation he deeply regretted on the night of December 30, 2022. Inside a crowded east Erie nightclub, as people gathered to celebrate his mother’s birthday, Goodwin made a grave error in judgment. Pulling out a handgun he was not supposed to be carrying, the events that followed ultimately led to the tragic death of 38-year-old Steve Smith.
In the midst of the chaos that ensued inside the Metroplex on Buffalo Road that night, Goodwin, feeling a sense of fear for himself and his family, made the fateful decision to fire the gun. His shot traveled through his uncle’s wrist before fatally striking Smith. Initially facing a charge of first-degree murder in Smith’s death, Goodwin chose to plead guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and carrying a firearm without a license.
As Goodwin stood before Erie County Judge John J. Mead, expressing his remorse and seeking for leniency, the judge was tasked with delivering a sentence for the tragic events of that evening. Mead acknowledged Goodwin’s positive qualities but emphasized the dangers that arose when Goodwin chose to carry a firearm that night.
Throughout the court proceedings, it was revealed that Goodwin had been involved in an altercation inside the nightclub, leading to the fatal shooting. One prosecution witness highlighted the numerous missed opportunities Goodwin had to prevent the tragic outcome, from disregarding the nightclub’s policy against firearms to escalating the conflict that ultimately ended in Smith’s death.
In light of the impact on Smith’s family and the community, Goodwin’s defense attorney, Rodney Blaine Jones II, highlighted Goodwin’s fear-driven actions and his remorse for the events that transpired. Goodwin’s character, as portrayed by his loved ones and partners in charitable work, was put forth in an effort to showcase a different side of the young man responsible for the nightclub shooting.
Ultimately, as Goodwin awaited his fate in the courtroom, the narrative of that fateful night painted a picture of loss, regret, and the irreversible consequences of a split-second decision. The judge’s sentencing of 18 years and four months to 36 years and eight months in prison marked the end of one chapter while opening the door to reflection, healing, and the pursuit of justice for all those touched by the tragedy.