Ohio
Tallahassee rapper Ralan Styles killed in Columbus, Ohio, shooting, police say
Tallahassee rapper Ralan Styles was shot and killed Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
Styles, whose real name was Michael Robinson, was 22.
Columbus police said officers were dispatched to the area on “an unknown type of complaint.” Officers “were then updated by dispatch about a rapid SOS in the area,” a news release says. (SOS is a distress signal that means someone needs immediate assistance.)
When they arrived at a home around 5 a.m., they were met by an individual who said a man was inside suffering from a gunshot wound.
A 24-year-old man named Mahamood Hassan was arrested and charged in the fatal shooting on a charge of first-degree murder, according to the release. The circumstances of the shooting were still unclear as of late Monday morning.
From lunch table to sound booth
Styles is best known for his viral hit “Baby Shark” and had over two million followers on social media.
“His passing is a significant loss not just for Tallahassee, but for the music industry as a whole,” according to a statement from Juming Delmas, his publicist. “Ralan was known for his deep connection with his community, empowering youth through his music, and inspiring those around him.”
Styles’ Apple Music page calls him a “confident, streetwise, Tallahassee, Florida peer of the more melancholic and insular Lil Goat.”
Styles “prolifically blends melodic trap and contemporary R&B. One of his earliest recordings, released in 2020, was a collaboration with Lil Goat on the mesmeric ‘Dancing with the Devil.’ … His debut album, 2021’s Radiance, was an expansive set that featured G-Real, Itstheangxl, and GHXSTBOYY. Two more albums were issued in 2022.”
The young rapper had an outpouring of social media posts following his death from many fans and loved ones honoring his memory.
“Michael Andre Robinson. My lovey my eternity my soulmate my everything,” Jillian Sperling, Styles’ girlfriend, wrote in an Instagram post. “I can’t believe you are really gone. I keep thinking I’m gonna wake up and you’ll be right there like you always are and I realized this wasn’t all just a horrible dream.”
According to one of Sperling’s post, Styles left behind a daughter he had with another woman.
Another rapper known as Lil Goat posted a collection of photos grieving the loss of his “lil brother.”
“We went from rapping at the lunch table together in middle school, to becoming superstars,” he wrote. “I love you bro, and as long as I’m alive you’ll never die.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Breaking & trending news reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
Ohio
Ohio AG on human trafficking: It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the second time in two years, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Steubenville Police Department have joined forces to combat human trafficking crimes.
In October, the operation led to the arrest of eight individuals for sex trafficking offenses, including men from Follansbee and St. Clairsville.
Earlier, in July 2024, 10 men from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia were apprehended and charged with solicitation and possession of criminal tools.
“It just goes to show that human trafficking happens everywhere,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “This isn’t a big city thing, it happens in small towns, it happens out in the country. It’s not rich and poor, it’s literally all around us.
“I am hopeful that the message is going out around Ohio and Steubenville and the Mahoning Valley — Don’t Buy Sex in Ohio!”
He also highlighted the support provided to survivors during these operations.
“We always have social service providers that partner with us that are on site. So, whether it’s something simple like a meal or a shower or something as necessary as an addiction treatment bed — we’re there to try and help provide the resource,” Yost added.
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For those affected by human trafficking, a victim services directory is available here.
Ohio
3 kids lead police on Ohio car chase after learning to steal vehicles on YouTube: officials
NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — Three kids, ages 12, 11, and 8, led Ohio police on a chase in a stolen car on Saturday, according to police.
According to the Newburgh Heights Police Department, an 11-year-old was driving a car that was stolen from Parma, WEWS reported.
Officers chased the car on Harvard Avenue west over the Denison Bridge. Shortly after the chase began, the car crashed into a house on Denison Avenue, police said.
No injuries were reported.
Newburgh Heights PD said two brothers, an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old, along with a 12-year-old, began running from the police.
After police caught them, the kids told officers they watched YouTube videos to learn how to steal cars, police said.
According to the department, the boys were released to their parents, and police will file charges in juvenile court.
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Ohio
Ohio State vs Miami betting odds, point spread for Cotton Bowl game
Heading to Arlington, Texas, for the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State enters the New Year’s Eve College Football Playoff game as a multi-score favorite to beat Miami, according to BetMGM on Dec. 22.
Ohio State is the No. 2 seed in the 2025 CFP and received a first-round bye. After beating No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 10 Miami will face the Buckeyes for the first time since 2011. The Hurricanes are the lone ACC representative in the CFP field.
Miami intercepted Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed in the end zone with less than 30 seconds remaining to secure a first-round playoff win.
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See the betting odds for the Cotton Bowl below.
What is the point spread for the Ohio State-Miami Cotton Bowl?
As of Dec. 22, BetMGM’s point spread for the Cotton Bowl between the Buckeyes and Hurricanes is -10 in favor of Ohio State.
What is the moneyline for the Ohio State-Miami Cotton Bowl?
Ohio State has -375 odds to win against Miami in the Cotton Bowl on BetMGM.
What is over/under on total points for the Ohio State-Miami Cotton Bowl?
The over/under for the Cotton Bowl game is set at 42.5 points.
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