Judge Sentences Defendant to 54 Months for Shooting, Strangulation Incident

By Ivanna Ceballos - October 4, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur sentenced a man on Sept. 19 for his involvement in an altercation that left one of three victims injured by a gunshot.

Joshua Goodwin, 34, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and felony strangulation for an incident that occurred on Feb. 24 near the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE. 

According to court documents, the confrontation escalated into violence, with Goodwin discharging a firearm during a drunken argument.

Goodwin was sentenced to 40 months for assault with a dangerous weapon and 14 months for felony strangulation, with the sentences to be served consecutively. After completion, he will be in supervised release, and must register as a gun offender for two years.

Goodwin expressed a desire to reform, stating, “I am not a product of my environment… For me, my community, and my son, I will be a productive returning citizen.” He detailed his participation in a GED program, tutoring fellow inmates, and completing a Georgetown University course as part of his rehabilitation efforts.

Judge Arthur emphasized the seriousness of Goodwin’s decision to use a firearm during the altercation. “The choice to pull out a firearm and discharge it is of grave concern for me,” Judge Arthur remarked, rejecting the defense’s argument that the victims’ intoxication lessened Goodwin’s responsibility.

The court also granted a stay-away and no-contact order for all three victims, as requested by the prosecution.

No further dates were set.