A 24-year-old Bloomington man has been sentenced to 87 years in prison for his role in a fatal shooting in Normal on New Year’s Eve in 2019.
DeWon I.C. Griffin was convicted in July of killing Tariq Houston, 17, of Springfield, at an apartment complex on Putnam Avenue in Northwest Normal. Police said the shooting was an isolated incident tied to a dispute at a party.
“The senseless loss of Tariq Houston to firearm violence is heartbreaking,” Normal Police chief Steve Petrilli said in a statement. “Tariq’s life, filled with promise, was tragically cut short, leaving a void felt deeply by all who knew him.”
Griffin was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. On Monday, he was sentenced to 55 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with a 25-year enhancement for murder with intent to kill, according to the McLean County circuit clerk. Griffin was sentenced to an additional seven years for one count of attempted murder, merged with two weapons charges, with the two sentences to be served consecutively. He is required to serve at least 58 years and 6 months, with 1817 days credited for time served, the circuit clerk confirmed.
Griffin was 19 years old when he was taken into custody in early 2020 at a residence in the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in Bloomington. The U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force assisted in the arrest.
His criminal record includes 2019 guilty pleas for felonies including aggravated battery of a peace officer and manufacturing or delivery of cannabis, and a misdemeanor charge of illegal possession of ammunition without an FOID card, according to court records. He pleaded guilty to mob action in 2023 and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 1 year for obstruction of justice in 2022. Both sentences were completed in McLean County Jail while Griffin awaited trial on the murder charge, the circuit clerk confirmed.
A second person, Garrett Riley Ahlfield, pleaded guilty in 2021 to weapons charges in connection to the incident. Authorities said Ahlfield walked up to a crowd and fired five rounds into the air before fleeing on foot. He was charged with nine weapons-related offenses but was not believed to be Houston's killer.
Griffin will be 77 years old when he first becomes eligible for parole.
