Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
295 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Forum Posts for Samuel Gooden Jr:
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I was reading through some old cases and came across the tragic story of Samuel Gooden Jr. I can't even begin to imagine the fear and desperation he must have felt as he drove himself to the hospital after being shot. It's such a chilling detail that he tried so hard to find help, only to not make it in the end.
I've been wondering if anyone else finds it strange that, despite it being a public place, there seem to be no witnesses or if maybe people are just too scared to come forward. It's been years, and maybe someone out there knows something, even if it feels small. Sometimes it's the little details that help solve these cold cases.
If anyone happened to be around the Players Lounge back then or knows of anyone who might have information, hopefully they'll find the courage to step up. The family deserves answers and peace after all this time. It's my hope that sharing this case might renew interest and lead to the truth finally coming to light.
Does anyone else find themselves wondering about the atmosphere at the Players Lounge on the night Samuel Gooden Jr. was shot? It just seems so strange to me that there were no witnesses who came forward with crucial information back then. Were people just too scared or is it possible they didn't know enough to help? Maybe someone who was there has a detail that they didn't realize was important. My heart really goes out to Samuel's family—I hope they find the answers they deserve. If you're from the Akron area or familiar with the bar scene in 1980, even something that seems trivial could be the piece that cracks this case open. Let’s not forget that people in Samuel's life are still waiting for justice.
I’ve been following Samuel Gooden Jr.’s case for some time, and something that always stood out to me is the bravery he showed despite the circumstances. To think that he managed to drive himself to the hospital after being shot—it's a testament to his will to survive. It's so distressing that even with that determination, help came too late.
Every time I drive past the location on South Hawkins Avenue, I can’t help but think of how ordinary the night must have seemed before everything went wrong. It’s frustrating that his family has spent so many years without answers. I believe that there's someone out there who knows what happened or saw something that night. If you were around the Players Lounge or South Hawkins Avenue back then, even the smallest detail could be crucial. It’s so important to share any information with the Akron Police Department or the BCI. Let’s keep hope alive and do whatever we can to help Samuel’s loved ones find the closure they deserve.