GREENWOOD, S.C. — The tight-knit Greenwood community woke Sunday to heartbreaking news — a bright young life was lost after a shooting late Saturday night.
Seventeen-year-old Zaden Goodman, a Greenwood resident, was shot around 11:20 p.m. Saturday on Reynolds Avenue, according to the Greenwood County Coroner’s Office. Emergency crews rushed him to Self Regional Healthcare, where he died from his injuries at about 3:20 a.m. Sunday.
Zaden’s death has left friends, classmates and neighbors stunned. People who knew him on social media described Zaden as an “outstanding” young man — a personable teen with promising potential whose life was abruptly cut short.
Local law enforcement agencies are working together to piece together what happened that night. The Greenwood County Coroner’s Office, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. So far, officials have not released details about a suspect or motive as the inquiry unfolds.
As word of Zaden’s passing spread, community members shared condolences and memories, describing him as someone who brought light to those around him. His loss has prompted many in Greenwood to grapple with the sudden void left in the lives of those who knew him well.
In the face of grief, family and friends have leaned on one another for support. Messages of love, prayer and remembrance poured in from neighbors, classmates, and others across the region, painting a picture of a young life valued deeply by those around him.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as the investigation continues. Greenwood residents, while mourning, hope that answers will help bring justice and closure to Zaden’s family and friends.
As the community mourns, many are holding onto the memory of Zaden’s warmth and potential — a reminder of how fragile life can be and how deeply one young person’s presence can be felt.
