Two men from central Ohio have been sentenced for their involvement in a series of crimes, including armed robberies and a shootout on Interstate 70. The incidents culminated in the shooting of a Columbus police officer on July 6, 2023.
Faisal M. Darod, 25, received a sentence of 300 months in prison, while Aden Abdullahi Jama, 21, was sentenced to 156 months. U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker commented on the impact of these violent acts: “Violent crimes like these reverberate throughout the community... Put simply, gun violence is never worth the resulting costs, including spending significant time in federal prison.”
The crime spree involved five high-end automobile dealerships, banks, and gaming stores around Columbus. Daryl S. McCormick of ATF’s Columbus Field Division stated that “the gun violence committed by these defendants altered the lives of many victims,” acknowledging the efforts of law enforcement in stopping the spree.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine R. Bryant expressed gratitude to those who worked on the case: “This case serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers brave officers face every day.”
In spring 2023, Darod began acquiring firearms for an accomplice. By June 2023, he and his accomplice used a Glock handgun with an extended magazine to commit multiple armed robberies.
Court documents reveal that on June 21, 2023, Darod participated in robbing a GameStop store after failing to rob a bank earlier that day. On July 3, he assisted in stealing a Corvette Stingray from Auto Gallery.
On July 5, Darod arranged for Jama to assist after they robbed Fifth Third Bank at gunpoint. A video recorded at their hotel showed Darod surrounded by stolen cash.
The next day saw another robbery at Byers Imports in Whitehall and an attempted bank robbery using a stolen Porsche Cayenne tracked by police GPS systems. The vehicle reached speeds over 125 mph before being abandoned during an escape attempt.
A shootout ensued when police confronted them on I-70; one officer was gravely injured while the third suspect died from gunshot wounds.
Darod was arrested on July 7 after attempting to flee Columbus. Jama was apprehended at Chicago O’Hare International Airport bound for Somalia via Turkey.
Both men pleaded guilty in October 2023 to various charges related to their criminal activities. Sentences were announced by Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison with contributions from multiple law enforcement agencies and attorneys representing the United States.