Tyler Goins, a 34-year-old Black man, had just celebrated his birthday when his life was cut short. He was born on May 17, 1990, and died just after midnight on May 18, 2024, in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In the early hours of that Saturday morning, Goins was at a gathering on Vineshire Drive with two other men, celebrating his birthday. The group had been drinking when an argument began.
One of the guests, Al’Saiah Griffin, reportedly left the party but returned a short time later, and the argument resumed. A neighbor witnessed Griffin yelling threats into the apartment just before hearing gunshots. Police received a call about a shooting around 12:30 a.m. and arrived to find Goins suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene at 12:46 a.m.
Investigators determined that during the argument, Griffin had pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots up the stairs, striking and killing Goins. Griffin initially fled after the shooting, but he later returned to the scene once police had arrived. He surrendered to authorities and admitted to shooting Goins. Police also sought to identify the third man present at the party, who was known only by his street name, "Bookie."
Griffin, who was 30 at the time of the shooting, was arrested and initially charged with murder. He was held at the Franklin County Jail while the case proceeded. The investigation and legal process continued for over a year.
In July 2025, Al’Saiah Griffin, then 32, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence. A judge sentenced him to serve a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 30.5 years in prison for the death of Tyler Goins. The case was officially closed with Griffin's sentencing in July 2025.
