Abdulbasid Ahmed Pleads Guilty in Shooting Death of Hassan Hassan in January 2023

Posted on 7/20/2023

Defendant: Abdulbasid Ahmed

Abdulbasid Ahmed, 20, of Rosewick Drive in Dublin, pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Hassan Hassan, 22, on Jan. 2, 2023.  Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Bill Sperlazza immediately sentenced Ahmed to 12 to 16-½ years in prison, a term jointly recommended by the prosecution and Ahmed’s defense attorney, Keith Edwards. Ahmed has 193 days of jail credit.

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

Ahmed shot Hassan outside of Safina World Restaurant at 4431 Cleveland Ave. 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. Hassan came out moments later and began walking the opposite direction of Ahmed when Ahmed fired at Hassan, hitting him in the back.

Ahmed said he was afraid of Hassan, who also had a gun, and feared Hassan 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.