Bristol Man Sentenced In Deadly Prom-Night Shooting

BRISTOL, PA — The second of two defendants charged in a deadly prom night shooting in Bristol Township has been sentenced to prison.

Gary Goddard, 49, of Bristol, was sentenced Thursday to 12 1/2-25 years for his role in the shooting in Winder Village that left two men dead. He was charged with attempted murder in the death of Zyisean McDuffie — who a medical examination showed died from a gunshot wound from another shooter.

A jury convicted Goddard after a three-week trial earlier this year.

"Zyisean McDuffie was on his last moments when Mr. Goddard decided to put a bullet in his head like he was an animal on the side of the road," said Deputy District Attorney Antonetta Stancu.

Goddard also was convicted of firing another shot that entered a home occupied by a mother and her young child. Just before the shooting, neighbors in the area had been gathered outside taking photos of children before their high school prom.

A fight broke out and Goddard's co-defendant, Joseph Williams, fired a hail of bullets. Goddard testified that he was trying to defend his son, who was among the teens outside in Winder Village that evening.

During sentencing, Judge Alan M. Rubenstein rejected that explanation.

"I understand, on some level, wanting to defend your son," the judge said. "But that’s not what happened here. You knew what you were doing. This did not happen in a moment of panic for you."

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Goddard was standing over McDuffie when he shot the young man, who was already bleeding to death.

Williams has already been sentenced in the case. He is serving two life sentences for the killings of McDuffie and Tommy Ballard, also 19.