The man charged in a fatal shooting in the City of Erie in December 2022 pleaded guilty to third-degree murder this week.

Shannon Goodwin, 23, of Erie, entered the plea on Monday to the murder charge and a count of firearms not to be carried without a license.

He was arrested Jan. 28, 2023, for the murder at the Metroplex Club on Buffalo Rd. in east Erie. Police said Goodwin was not initially in the Erie area for a while after the homicide, and he was arrested at Erie International Airport upon return.

The fatal shooting claimed the life of Steve Smith, 38. He died from a gunshot wound to the torso at AHN Saint Vincent, according to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook.

The fatal shooting happened at the end of a private birthday party for Goodwin's mother which started on the evening of Dec. 30, 2022. Police received multiple calls for a fight inside the bar around 12:30 a.m. 

Because this event was a private party, detectives were able to determine early on in the investigation who they were looking for after conducting interviews with witnesses, according to police.

Goodwin's uncle, who was apparently attempting to stop the fight, was hit in the right forearm and wrist by the shot that hit Smith.

Goodwin purchased the suspected murder weapon - a 9mm semi-automatic pistol - and ammunition at Keystone Armory, a gun shop in Edinboro, on Dec. 7, 2022, according to the criminal complaint. His concealed carry permit was revoked.

Witnesses told investigators the owner of the club asked Goodwin earlier the night of the shooting to take his gun to a vehicle in the parking lot.