In the winter of 2026, the Greenwood, South Carolina community was shaken by the untimely death of 17-year-old Zaden Goodman. A promising track athlete from Emerald High School, Zaden was known for his dedication and leadership. His friends and family remember him as a respectful and driven individual with a bright future ahead of him.
On the night of Saturday, January 10, 2026, Zaden was at a gathering in the 1100 block of Reynolds Avenue in Greenwood when gunfire erupted around 11:20
p.m. He sustained life-threatening injuries and was quickly transported to Self Regional Healthcare for emergency medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Zaden Goodman passed away in the early hours of Sunday, January 11, 2026. The Greenwood County Coroner's Office later confirmed his death as a homicide.
In the wake of the shooting, a joint investigation was launched by the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office, the Greenwood County Coroner's Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. As of the latest reports, authorities have not released any information regarding a motive for the shooting. There have been no arrests made in connection with Zaden Goodman's death, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement continues to gather evidence and seek information from the public.
