'S-Town' Podcast's Tyler Goodson Shot And Killed By Police In Bibb County

WOODSTOCK, AL — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and government officials confirmed on Monday that Joseph Tyler Goodson, who played a central role in the 2017 hit podcast "S-Town," was shot and killed by police on Sunday.

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ALEA, at the request of the Woodstock Police Department, says the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) launched an investigation concerning an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Woodstock on Sunday.

Investigators said shortly after midnight, the Woodstock Police Department responded to a call for service near the 500 Block of Georgia Loop in Woodstock in Bibb County and encountered Goodson, 32, once on scene.

ALEA then said Goodson was reported to have barricaded himself inside the residence, prompting a stand-off that involved multiple law enforcement agencies.

On his Facebook page on Sunday, Goodson posted "Police bout to shoot me down in my own yard."

ALEA said during the incident, Goodson brandished a gun at officers and, as a result, was shot and fatally wounded. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Woodstock Mayor Jeff Dodson confirmed the news to Tuscaloosa Patch, along with the fact that the man killed was, indeed, the same Tyler Goodson from the "S-Town" podcast.

Dodson said he was "devastated, to say the least."

Goodson's name and voice became known across the country for his role in the podcast, which was produced by "Serial" and "This American Life" — ultimately going on to be downloaded a record-breaking 10 million times in just four days.

As of May 2017, following its release, it had been downloaded over 40 million times.

Hosted by Brian Reed, the podcast focused on eccentric Woodstock native John B McLemore, who tells the host that he lives in "Shit Town, Alabama," which is where the podcast derives its title.

The podcast was inspired by McLemore's request that Reed investigate a member of a wealthy family who had been allegedly bragging that he got away with murder.

Goodson figures prominently in the twists and turns of the podcast but was generally viewed as something of a redeemable character by initial fans of the show.

Indeed, Goodson was reported to have helped McLemore build a maze that became a central point of focus in the podcast and even moved into a mobile home across from McLemore's property.

A 2018 article published in Esquire said McLemore told the host of the podcast that he was planning to write Goodson into his will — a revelation made right before McLemore's death.

The podcast brought national attention to the small Bibb County community and ultimately came with negative drawbacks for Goodson.

"It’s hell being famous without the rich part,” Goodson told Esquire's Kate Storey. “If money came along with it, I wouldn’t feel near as bad about it.”

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it becomes available.