21-year-old found shot dead in Palmetto driveway after argument, Manatee sheriff says
Detectives are trying to identify the person they believe shot and killed a 21-year-old man during an argument early Monday.
At about 3:30 a.m., deputies were called to the 2800 block of 7th Avenue East in Palmetto and found a man lying in a driveway with at least one gunshot wound, the sheriff’s office said.
Despite attempts at CPR, he died moments later.
The man’s father identified him as Michael Thomas Goff.
“He made it home,” the victim’s father Michael Goff said, pointing to the end corner of the family’s driveway.
A witness told deputies that Goff had been shot about a mile away during an argument with an acquaintance. Goff then drove himself to the house where he was found collapsed.
Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and are following several leads but have not yet identified the suspect.
The elder Goff said he couldn’t think of who would want to hurt his son.
“It was a shock,” he added.
Inside the family home Monday, the victim’s mother and 20-year-old sister were mourning as other loved ones gathered.
Goff — who attended Palmetto High School — was a father of two, one about six months old and the other about 18 months old. His father described as a very active and sporty young man.
Anyone with any information on the case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011. Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, information can be given to Manatee Crime Stoppers by calling 866-634-8477 (TIPS) or online at manateecrimestoppers.com.
This story was originally published October 24, 2022 at 10:38 AM.
