DPD identifies First Christian Church minister as murder victim

(Facebook photo) Shane Goodwin
(Facebook photo)
Shane Goodwin

UPDATE, 5:03 p.m.

The Demopolis Police Department responded to a reported shooting at a residence on Herbert Street in Demopolis around 12:32 a.m. on June 17.

Upon arrival, officers found Joseph Shane Goodwin, 40, suffering from a gunshot wound. Goodwin was pronounced dead at the scene. A juvenile was later taken into custody in Lauderdale County, Miss., in connection with the shooting and transported back to the Marengo County Detention Center where he was charged with murder by DPD Criminal Investigators.

Goodwin was the minister of the First Christian Church in Demopolis and was active in the youth baseball league where he served as an umpire. He also worked for Demopolis City Schools where he served as director of the supervised alternative placement program.

An autopsy will be performed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to determine the exact cause of death.

DPD Chief Tommie Reese asked the community to keep this family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Demopolis Police Department is currently working a murder investigation that occurred in the early morning hours of June 17.

Demopolis Chief of Police Tommie Reese said that the murder occurred on Herbert Street in Demopolis. He also stated that this investigation is ongoing and will update once the family has been notified.

Through sources requesting anonymity, The West Alabama Watchman has learned the identity of the victim as well as other details of the case but is withholding the information in deference to the police department until such time as the DPD has had the opportunity to inform the appropriate family members.