On Saturday, January 10, 2026, at approximately 11:20 p.m., gunfire erupted outside Aunt Kim’s Kitchen on Reynolds Avenue in Greenwood, where a party was underway. Witnesses described a lively gathering that suddenly descended into chaos as shots rang out. In the confusion, many fled for safety, unaware that 17‑year‑old Zaden Goodman had been struck.
Authorities arrived quickly, securing the scene and gathering evidence. Goodman was found critically injured and transported to Self Regional Healthcare. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries at 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The Greenwood County Coroner’s Office later confirmed his death and identified him as the victim.
Friends who attended the party said they did not realize Goodman had been caught in the crossfire until after the shooting stopped. They recalled the panic of the moment and the disbelief that someone they knew so well had been fatally wounded.
Goodman’s death is especially tragic given his promising future. He had graduated from Emerald High School in 2025, a year early, where he was a dedicated track runner. He later enrolled at Lander University and was in the process of transferring schools this semester. His friends shared that he was studying to become a veterinarian, a career path that reflected his compassion and determination.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the shooting, interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. Detectives believe Goodman was not the intended target but was instead caught in the crossfire, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of gun violence.
The Greenwood community is mourning the loss of a young man whose life was filled with ambition and kindness. Friends and family remember him as someone who worked hard, cared deeply, and dreamed of helping others. His death has sparked grief and calls for accountability, as residents grapple with the senselessness of the violence that claimed his life.
RIP Zaden Goodman (2008 – January 11, 2026). His story is a reminder of how fragile life can be and how deeply communities are affected when violence claims one of their own.