Former Police Officer Aaron Goodwin Charged in Assault Case in Portsmouth, NH

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. New Hampshire diner brawl charges
2. Former police officer racism allegations NH diner

Former police officer Aaron Goodwin, 45, of Eliot, Maine, turned himself in on Friday, facing assault charges after a late-night fight at a New Hampshire diner. The victim alleges a racist attack, but Goodwin denies it, stating he was defending his sister-in-law. The incident occurred on Nov. 22, 2023, at a Portsmouth diner, leading to arrest warrants for two others, Kevin Goodwin and Shannon Goodwin from Dundalk, Maryland, facing simple assault charges. Aaron Goodwin was previously fired from the Portsmouth Police Department in 2015 for breaching the department’s code of ethics in an inheritance dispute. The NH BIPoC Coalition condemned the incident as a racist attack on a Black New Hampshire resident.

Late-Night Altercation at Portsmouth Diner Leads to Assault Charge for Former Police Officer

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, recently made headlines for a late-night altercation at a local diner that resulted in an assault charge against a former police officer. The incident took place on the night of November 22, 2023, at a diner in Portsmouth, where a heated confrontation unfolded among several individuals, including the former officer, Aaron Goodwin.

Former Police Officer Faces Assault Charge

Aaron Goodwin, 45, of Eliot, Maine, found himself at the center of the controversy and ultimately turned himself in to the New Hampshire State Police. According to a news release from the police, Goodwin was identified as a former Portsmouth Police officer, prompting the involvement of state authorities in the investigation.

Goodwin, in a statement to Seacoastonline, denied that the altercation was racially motivated. He claimed that he was acting in defense of his sister-in-law, who was allegedly being threatened by the victim. Goodwin explained that he intervened when he perceived the victim as a threat, leading to a physical altercation.

Incident Deemed Racist by NH BIPoC Coalition

The NH BIPoC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) Coalition released a statement condemning the incident as an unprovoked, racist attack on a Black New Hampshire resident. They viewed the altercation as an attack on all individuals and communities of color, sparking outrage within the local community.

Kevin Goodwin, 42, and Shannon Goodwin, 37, both from Dundalk, Maryland, also found themselves in hot water as arrest warrants were issued for them. Kevin faces a simple assault charge, while Shannon faces three counts of simple assault. Authorities did not disclose the nature of the relationship between Aaron, Kevin, and Shannon Goodwin.

Former Officer’s Troubled Past

Aaron Goodwin’s history includes a controversial incident in 2015 when he was fired from the Portsmouth Police Department. A judge-led panel investigating a $2.7 million inheritance dispute found Goodwin guilty of breaching the police department’s code of ethics and duty manual. The panel determined that Goodwin should have refused an elderly woman’s offer to leave him her estate and should have reported the offer to supervisors. As a result, the judge stripped Goodwin of the inheritance, citing his “self-serving” behavior towards the elderly woman, who suffered from dementia.

In conclusion, the aftermath of the late-night altercation at the Portsmouth diner continues to unfold, shedding light on the complexities of human behaviour and the consequences of one’s actions. As the legal proceedings progress, the community awaits justice and closure for all parties involved.