Topline: Two men received prison terms in the fatal shooting of Nasier Reid, but the father of four’s mother says justice would have meant a life sentence.
Published: October 10, 2026 7:04 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
Must Read
Nasier Reid (Courtesy photo)
COLUMBUS, OH — Two men have been sentenced to prison in the 2023 shooting death of Nasier Reid outside a University District bar, but the 23-year-old father’s mother says the punishment falls short.
David Allen received 25 to 30½ years in prison, and Jakai Watts received six to 7½ years, according to The Columbus Dispatch’s sentencing report, republished by AOL. The family’s objections are the focus of 10TV’s report on Reid’s mother.
Allen, 23, pleaded guilty Sept. 15, 2026, to voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault. Watts, 24, pleaded guilty April 28 to felonious assault and was sentenced Oct. 5. Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Holbrook sentenced both men.
Reid was killed July 28, 2023, after a fight at Jack’s Corner Pub near Ohio State University. Police were called around 2 a.m. to the bar at 2480 Summit St. after the fight escalated into gunfire, the Dispatch reported. In the following weeks, the city attorney’s office sought to close the business over repeated reports of fighting and violence.
The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office identified Allen as the shooter and Watts as the driver, according to Focal News’s account. Prosecutors said Allen must serve at least 25 years and described Watts as less culpable.
DeShana Reid said she had expected a trial for more than three years and felt prosecutors had given her false hope. She wanted a life sentence. The prosecutor’s office offered condolences, saying no sentence could account for a death and that staff explain the complexities affecting case resolutions, Focal News reported.
Reid had four children. His mother said he signed a recording agreement in May 2023 and wanted to support his family and encourage Columbus youth through music. She is exploring possible legal challenges to the sentences and hopes to establish a foundation offering funeral assistance and emotional support to families affected by gun violence, according to Focal News.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother Challenges Prison Sentences in Nasier Reid’s Killing Near Ohio State
Two men received prison terms in the fatal shooting of Nasier Reid, but the father of four’s mother says justice would have meant a life sentence.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: October 10, 2026 7:04 am ET
Nasier Reid (Courtesy photo)
COLUMBUS, OH — Two men have been sentenced to prison in the 2023 shooting death of Nasier Reid outside a University District bar, but the 23-year-old father’s mother says the punishment falls short.
David Allen received 25 to 30½ years in prison, and Jakai Watts received six to 7½ years, according to The Columbus Dispatch’s sentencing report, republished by AOL. The family’s objections are the focus of 10TV’s report on Reid’s mother.
Allen, 23, pleaded guilty Sept. 15, 2026, to voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault. Watts, 24, pleaded guilty April 28 to felonious assault and was sentenced Oct. 5. Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Holbrook sentenced both men.
Reid was killed July 28, 2023, after a fight at Jack’s Corner Pub near Ohio State University. Police were called around 2 a.m. to the bar at 2480 Summit St. after the fight escalated into gunfire, the Dispatch reported. In the following weeks, the city attorney’s office sought to close the business over repeated reports of fighting and violence.
The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office identified Allen as the shooter and Watts as the driver, according to Focal News’s account. Prosecutors said Allen must serve at least 25 years and described Watts as less culpable.
DeShana Reid said she had expected a trial for more than three years and felt prosecutors had given her false hope. She wanted a life sentence. The prosecutor’s office offered condolences, saying no sentence could account for a death and that staff explain the complexities affecting case resolutions, Focal News reported.
Reid had four children. His mother said he signed a recording agreement in May 2023 and wanted to support his family and encourage Columbus youth through music. She is exploring possible legal challenges to the sentences and hopes to establish a foundation offering funeral assistance and emotional support to families affected by gun violence, according to Focal News.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother Challenges Prison Sentences in Nasier Reid’s Killing Near Ohio State
Two men received prison terms in the fatal shooting of Nasier Reid, but the father of four’s mother says justice would have meant a life sentence.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: October 10, 2026 7:04 am ET
Nasier Reid (Courtesy photo)
COLUMBUS, OH — Two men have been sentenced to prison in the 2023 shooting death of Nasier Reid outside a University District bar, but the 23-year-old father’s mother says the punishment falls short.
David Allen received 25 to 30½ years in prison, and Jakai Watts received six to 7½ years, according to The Columbus Dispatch’s sentencing report, republished by AOL. The family’s objections are the focus of 10TV’s report on Reid’s mother.
Allen, 23, pleaded guilty Sept. 15, 2026, to voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault. Watts, 24, pleaded guilty April 28 to felonious assault and was sentenced Oct. 5. Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Holbrook sentenced both men.
Reid was killed July 28, 2023, after a fight at Jack’s Corner Pub near Ohio State University. Police were called around 2 a.m. to the bar at 2480 Summit St. after the fight escalated into gunfire, the Dispatch reported. In the following weeks, the city attorney’s office sought to close the business over repeated reports of fighting and violence.
The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office identified Allen as the shooter and Watts as the driver, according to Focal News’s account. Prosecutors said Allen must serve at least 25 years and described Watts as less culpable.
DeShana Reid said she had expected a trial for more than three years and felt prosecutors had given her false hope. She wanted a life sentence. The prosecutor’s office offered condolences, saying no sentence could account for a death and that staff explain the complexities affecting case resolutions, Focal News reported.
Reid had four children. His mother said he signed a recording agreement in May 2023 and wanted to support his family and encourage Columbus youth through music. She is exploring possible legal challenges to the sentences and hopes to establish a foundation offering funeral assistance and emotional support to families affected by gun violence, according to Focal News.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
