GREEN BAY, WI – A Halloween night gathering at a Green Bay bar erupted in violence after a heated confrontation, ending with one man hospitalized and another in jail on suspicion of attempted homicide.
Just before 9 p.m. on October 31, emergency calls sent law enforcement racing to the Hammer Inn, a neighborhood establishment in the heart of Green Bay. The chaos began inside, where a 47-year-old man, Robert Stanley Goodletson, confronted another patron he believed was involved with his estranged wife.
As the festive mood soured, witnesses reported shouting that quickly escalated. Surveillance footage later reviewed by authorities allegedly caught Goodletson spotting the victim and storming across the bar, his anger boiling over. Within moments, the confrontation turned physical. The video reportedly depicts Goodletson shoving the victim against a wall and brandishing a knife, striking repeatedly.
Panicked bar patrons scrambled for safety as the fight spilled outside. First responders arriving on scene discovered the victim in distress just steps from the front door, suffering from multiple stab wounds to his torso and a deep gash across his head. Medics rushed him to St. Vincent Hospital, where he received emergency care and was able to recount the frantic sequence to investigators.
Law enforcement officers quickly fanned out around the Hammer Inn to secure the area. It wasn’t long before police located Goodletson behind the building. According to authorities, he showed blood on his hands and carried a sheathed blade at his waist. Goodletson was promptly taken into custody.
During transport, police say the suspect made incriminating remarks, referencing the relationship between his wife and the wounded patron. He allegedly insisted he had acted out of jealousy and frustration, while also making statements about his firearms permit and expressing little remorse for the violent outcome. Detectives later documented that Goodletson referred to the victim as “lucky” to have survived the ordeal.
The incident left bar staff and customers rattled on an evening usually reserved for revelry. Police cordoned off the scene well into the night, gathering testimony and securing evidence. The community, shaken by the sudden violence, awaited updates on the victim’s condition, which officials have not yet revealed.
Court records show Goodletson now faces an accusation of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, upgraded with a modifier for use of a dangerous weapon. He appeared before a Brown County judge for an initial hearing, where bond was set at a steep $250,000. Goodletson remains incarcerated pending further investigation.
Authorities continue to sift through surveillance video, forensic findings, and witness accounts as they piece together the events that led to the bloody confrontation. Goodletson’s next court appearance is scheduled for November 18, as the legal process moves forward.
The Hammer Inn stabbing has left many in the community unnerved, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly personal grievances can erupt into violence, even in familiar neighborhood spaces. Police emphasized their commitment to thoroughly investigating the case and called on anyone with additional information to come forward.