A Canton man has admitted his role in a chaotic Halloween party shooting that turned deadly in Springfield Township, pleading guilty to reduced charges in a case that left 40-year-old Brian Cofer dead and several others injured.
Guilty plea and charges
Terrance Williams, 25, stood before a Summit County Common Pleas Court judge on April 29 and pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of felonious assault. The Summit County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the plea and said a sentencing date is still pending, according to Cleveland.com. Prosecutors said the deal trims back an earlier indictment that had included murder charges.
What prosecutors say happened
According to prosecutors, the violence erupted at a house party on the 1400 block of Canton Road in October 2024 when an uninvited group crashed the gathering and a fight broke out. Cofer and other guests tried to force the intruders out of the home. Investigators say witness accounts and video show Williams opening fire after he was pushed with a barstool. The bullet went through Cofer’s abdomen, and he later died at a hospital.
“Brian Cofer was senselessly killed for trying to remove uninvited, violent guests from a party,” Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said, as reported by WOIO.
Other victims and the investigation
The shooting was not the only violence reported that night. Authorities say multiple partygoers were hurt in the brawl. Two people were pistol‑whipped and suffered head injuries, and another victim sustained broken ribs, according to News 5 Cleveland.
Investigators say Canton police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted Springfield Township authorities. Witness interviews and video evidence were key in identifying Williams as the gunman, officials said. Law enforcement has asked anyone with additional information to contact Springfield Township police or Summit County Crime Stoppers.
Legal outlook
Prosecutors say Williams was originally charged with murder along with multiple counts of felonious assault before reaching the plea agreement. The involuntary manslaughter count carries a firearm specification, and under Ohio law those specifications can add mandatory prison time, according to the Ohio Revised Code. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Family reaction and next steps
Relatives of Cofer, described by family as a protector who tried to shield others at the party, have said they are devastated by his killing and consider the plea a step toward accountability, according to local reporting. Prosecutors have emphasized their commitment to pursuing tough penalties in violent gun cases as they prepare for Williams’s sentencing. Crime Stoppers and investigators continue to seek witnesses who may have left the party before speaking with police.
