A convict killed his fellow inmate upon discovering that he was incarcerated with the individual who sexually assaulted his younger sister. Shane Goldsby, then 25 years old, was captured on video brutally attacking Robert Munger on June 2, 2020, at the Airways Heights Corrections Center in Washington, USA. Munger, aged 70, was serving a lengthy sentence for crimes including child rape, child molestation, and possession of child pornography. Goldsby expressed shock at being housed in the same cell as the man who had harmed his minor sister, stating, “It’s unbelievable to find yourself in such close proximity to the person who hurt your family.”
At the time of the incident, Goldsby was serving time for stealing a police vehicle. Investigations revealed no familial connection between the two men due to different last names. Goldsby disclosed that the situation escalated as Munger continued to divulge details of his crimes, including sharing explicit material. Despite Goldsby’s repeated requests for a cell change, his pleas were allegedly disregarded by prison authorities. Goldsby later reflected, “I asked to be moved to a different cell, but my requests were ignored.”
Furthermore, Goldsby’s emergency call for help before the altercation went unanswered by prison staff. He expressed feeling abandoned by the system, believing that the tragic outcome was somehow inevitable. In August 2021, Goldsby was sentenced to nearly 25 additional years in prison for the murder. He expressed remorse and extended an apology to Munger’s family through his attorney, acknowledging the pain he caused and expressing a desire for their healing.
During court proceedings, Goldsby’s troubled upbringing was highlighted, including abuse by his drug-addicted mother and a turbulent childhood spent in foster care. Despite facing adversities, he found himself in prison at a young age and eventually crossed paths with Munger at Airway Heights prison.
The Washington Department of Corrections characterized the incident as “unfortunate and complex,” noting that standard procedures failed to prevent the two inmates from being housed together due to a lack of awareness about their connection.
