On the 10-year anniversary of his death, the Berkeley Police Department announced a $50,000 reward for information on the unsolved murder of Alex Goodwin Jr.
The reward, which increased from $15,000 in 2019, offers up to $50,000 for information that might help bring the individuals responsible to justice.
Just before midnight on Aug. 18, 2016, 22-year-old Alex Goodwin Jr. was shot outside his home in the San Pablo Park neighborhood. He was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The case has remained unsolved for the last decade.
“We are offering this reward because we believe there may be individuals with information that could help bring those responsible to justice,” said BPD Officer Byron White in an email.
Alex Goodwin Jr.’s family members said they believe they know who is responsible for his death but that there is a lack of evidence to convict the culprits. The reward money, they said, would be a good incentive to get those with crucial testimony to come forward.
“I think that (BPD has) narrowed down an idea of who’s responsible … we can know all day, but we have to be able to prove it in court,” said Aneka Patterson, Alex Goodwin Jr.’s sister. “I feel like they want to make sure that when we do some type of arrest, that it’ll stick.”
The Berkeley City Council increased the reward amount that BPD could offer for tips on unsolved cases from $15,000 to $50,000 in 2019. Alex Goodwin Jr.’s family was instrumental in advocating for the increase, giving testimony regarding potential witnesses being scared to come forward.
Alex Goodwin Jr.’s mother, Kameka Goodwin, called her son a “kind protector.” Goodwin’s younger brother, Alonso Goodwin, said his brother was a “creative role model.” They noted his commitment to family and his music career as a rapper.
All Things AyeGee, a nonprofit founded in Alex Goodwin Jr.’s memory, hosting a community event.
Kameka Goodwin | Courtesy
“He was more than a rapper; he was the glue to his friend group and his family,” Kameka Goodwin said.
The family also expressed dissatisfaction with BPD’s progress with the case in the past 10 years, feeling they could have done more. However, they feel the increase in the reward money is a step in the right direction.
Alex Goodwin Jr.’s family started a nonprofit organization in his memory called All Things Ayegee, named after his rapper alias. The organization orchestrates community outreach events, such as youth support groups and school supply giveaways, with the mission of providing aid to struggling young community members.
BPD urges anyone who has any information relating to the case, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, to report it to the BPD Homicide Unit or the BPD 24-hour non-emergency line.
“I’m not going to be satisfied until someone’s arrested, because he was definitely not just (the first) homicide victim (in Berkeley) for 2016 — he was way more than that,” Kameka Goodwin said.