Dublin man sentenced for involuntary manslaughter after shooting former roommate

Abdulbasid Ahmed, 20, of Dublin, pleaded guilty recently to involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a 22-year-old man on Jan. 2.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Bill Sperlazza immediately sentenced Ahmed to 12 to 16.5 years in prison, a term jointly recommended by the prosecution and Ahmed’s defense attorney, Keith Edwards. Ahmed has 193 days of jail credit.

The victim’s father and Ahmed’s father were present for the plea. They both talked with Ahmed before the plea and sat together during the hearing. The victim’s father spoke to the court, asking for compassion and forgiveness for Ahmed.

Ahmed shot the victim outside of a restaurant on Cleveland Avenue the night of Jan. 2. The two men, who had previously been friends and roommates, got into an argument inside the restaurant. After the confrontation, Ahmed walked outside and got into his SUV. The victim came out moments later and began walking the opposite direction of Ahmed when Ahmed fired at the victim, hitting him in the back.

Ahmed said he was afraid of the victim, who also had a gun, and feared the victim was going to shoot him.

Ahmed had been charged with two counts of murder, tampering with evidence and carrying a concealed weapon. The charges were dismissed in return for his guilty plea for involuntary manslaughter with a three-year firearm specification.

Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Wodarcyk and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Madeline Holvey prosecuted the case for the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.