Police seek tips in basketball star’s slaying
CRIME STOPPERS
More than six years later, Columbus police are still looking for two men responsible for killing a former standout basketball player at the University of Kentucky.
On July 25, 2011, 31-yearold Desmond Allison was shot and killed in the 2000 block of Maryland Avenue in front of Nelson Park Apartments on the city’s Near East Side. Another man who was with Allison, Malcolm Goff, was also shot.
While detectives arrested one of three men responsible for shooting Allison and Goff, they’re hoping someone comes forward with information about the remaining two suspects as part of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers’ Crime of the Week.
Witnesses told police Allison was arguing with a woman. During the argument, the three suspects arrived and exited a minivan. One of the three men confronted Allison and the two fought.
When Allison had the upper hand in the fight, a man who was about 5-feet 7-inches tall brandished a gun from his waistband and opened fire. Allison tried to run to avoid getting shot but was wounded. He later died at a hospital.
The three men left in the minivan they arrived in.
In 2013, Dispatch archives show Richard Lee Willis was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with Allison’s death.
Allison spent part of his childhood on the Near East Side before moving to the Tampa, Florida area with his family. He played basketball at Kentucky from 1998 to 2000 but was dismissed from the team after a drunkendriving arrest. He had five children.
A reward is being offered to anyone who might have information leading to the arrest or indictment of the suspects.
Tipsters remain anonymous.
Anyone with information can call 614-461-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at stopcrime.org. You can also submit tips by downloading a free application called P3 Tips on your phone.