Samuel Gooden Jr was 28 when he was shot at the Players Lounge, 1655 South Hawkins Avenue in Akron, Ohio, on January 18, 1980. Severely wounded at the scene in Summit County, he drove himself to a hospital but died shortly after arrival. Law enforcement immediately ruled the incident a homicide.

The Akron Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Despite being kept open in the state’s unsolved homicides database and public appeals for tips, no suspects have been arrested and the case remains unsolved. Authorities have said even small pieces of information could be helpful.

If anybody remembers events at the Players Lounge that night or has other information about Samuel Gooden Jr’s killing, please contact the Akron Police Department or the Ohio BCI with what you know.