A Newark man facing criminal charges after pointing a gun at police in a parking lot near the Licking County YMCA was sentenced to two years in prison.
Dylan P. Goodin, 25, pleaded guilty to obstructing official business, menacing, not complying with police orders and a firearm specification during a Jan. 21 hearing in Licking County Common Pleas Court. In court records, police alleged Goodin pointed his gun at them Aug. 17 after not following commands to drop a weapon and show his hands.
Police also alleged Goodin repeatedly pointed the gun at them outside the front driver’s window and back window while they were standing behind his car. An officer at the scene shot Goodin in the head, Goodin’s attorney Eric Brehm said. First responders took Goodin to Mount Carmel East hospital in Columbus after police gave him first aid. No officers were injured.
Licking County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Marcelain sentenced Goodin to two years in prison with credit for 126 days already served. He must serve two years of probation after his release.
“I’d like to give my condolences to the Newark police department, along with Newark fire and Mount Carmel staff,” Goodin said during his sentencing. “I’m sorry for the traumatic event that took place that day, and I wanted to thank you guys for your risks, services and everything. I pray that you guys have a safe career.”
Goodin also shared some details about his life leading up to Aug. 17, including his upbringing, which he described as difficult.
“More than anything, Dylan is grateful he survived this incident,” Brehm said, describing the sentence as fair. “But he is also grateful the government heard our concerns and allowed us to mitigate a sentence that potentially allows for his release, so he is able to continue with mental health treatment and get his life back on track.”
Licking County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tyler McCoy said officers involved in the event agreed with a sentence allowing for Goodin’s release after 18 months, in part so he can continue addressing his mental health while on probation.
“There’s no doubt that Mr. Goodin was going through a mental health crisis where he attempted to commit suicide by cop,” McCoy said. “However, he made choices. He chose to run from the police, point a firearm at police officers and not only put his life in danger but (also) the life of the public and law enforcement officers who responded to the scene. This could have been avoided.”
Video shows officers firing shots, Goodin pointing weapon
The Advocate reviewed video of the shooting, which shows an officer approaching the passenger side of Goodin’s vehicle before yelling that they spotted a gun inside the car. Goodin is seen sitting in the driver’s seat.
The video shows an officer asking Goodin to show his hands. Video from one of the Newark police’s vehicles, stationed in front of Goodin’s car, shows Goodin pointing a gun behind the car before pointing it outside the driver’s side window at an officer, who used a patrol car as a shield.
After Goodin points the weapon once more toward the officers, one of them fires a few shots toward Goodin, according to the video.
Officers continue to ask Goodin to drop the gun and show his hands. He does not and points the gun at them again through the back windshield, at which point an officer fired several more shots, appearing to hit Goodin, the video shows.
Additional units arrive at the scene, and multiple officers begin approaching the vehicle with a shield before the video ends shortly thereafter.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation investigated the shooting before referring it to the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office, which decided not to charge the officers for their role in the event.
“After review of the investigation, I have determined that there is no evidence of any criminal acts by either officer involved in the shooting,” Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells said in a statement to The Advocate. “Based upon the facts presented, the shooting was justified.”
What else to know about the case
Responding officers said they recognized Goodin’s car as being the same one that fled another scene Aug. 13, when an officer stopped Goodin on suspicion of speeding. An officer shot at Goodin while he aimed his at them during the Aug. 17 incident, according to court records.
After removing Goodin from the car, police found a weapon inside, the records state.
“His refusal to comply with their commands threatened law enforcement and impeded their ability to identify the individual,” police said in a criminal complaint.
Court records show Goodin’s family members sent Marcelain a letter, asking him to send Goodin to a mental health facility. They also apologized to Newark police for the position Goodin put them in that day and said, “That is not who Dylan is.
“He deserves to go get the help he needs,” family members wrote in the letter. “Dylan is and was a great man.”
Goodin was scheduled for trial Dec. 11 after pleading not guilty to the charges Sept. 29, court records show. Brehm filed a motion in December to continue the trial for a change of plea and sentencing hearing.
Goodin has been in the Licking County jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond since Sept. 17. A Licking County grand jury indicted Goodin on the charges Sept. 24.
The shooting took place in the parking lot adjacent to the YMCA’s day care, 470 W. Church St. It also serves as overflow parking for its outdoor pool in the area.
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark man shot by police near Licking County YMCA sentenced
Reporting by Josué Perez, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
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