By Jack Brancatelli
Dec 4- COLUMBUS, OHIO- Casey Goodson was a 23-year-old Columbus resident, older brother, and loving family member. He has no police record. But on Friday, December 4th, Franklin County Sheriff deputy Jason Meade fatally shot Goodson on his doorstep.
Goodson was on his way home from a dentist appointment―Subway sandwiches for his family in one hand and unlocking his front door with the other―when Meade shot Goodson. His family was home and claimed he was shot in the back. Early autopsy confirms his death was a homicide, but it remains unclear if Goodson was shot in the back. No charges have been made.
Before Casey Goodson was killed that Friday, US Marshals and FCSO SWAT members concluded an “unsuccessful search” for a “violent suspect.” Later that day, Meade reported “witnessing a man with a gun.” This was Goodson, the concealed carry permit holder who was not a suspect involved in any investigation.
Meade’s lawyer claims the sheriff’s deputy saw Goodson waving his firearm at the deputy’s unmarked car. Meade followed and confronted Goodson, who was out of his vehicle and about to enter his home. Meade told Goodson to drop his weapon, and when he allegedly didn’t, Meade fatally shot Goodson.
Goodson’s family doesn’t believe he would’ve waved a firearm at an officer which their attorney maintained in a statement to the public.
“That allegation does not line up with who Casey was, just because of the level of gun safety he tried to maintain.”
With no eyewitnesses or bodycam footage of the shooting, what exactly happened is unclear. Activists and Goodson’s family are demanding for deputy Meade be charged with murder. The Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan warned of a slow investigation moving forward.
“We hear your cries for more information and more answers. We hear your demands for justice. The difficult reality is, very often in police work, information and answers are necessarily, unavoidably slow to come,” Quinlan stated.
Federal authorities have also opened an investigation with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, in coordination with the FBI and Columbus Police. Meade has been placed on paid administrative duty until the investigation is resolved.