Man Kills Landscaper Over Grass Clippings on His Car

An Ohio man will spend decades in prison after shooting and killing a young landscaper during an argument over grass clippings and dirt on his vehicle.

Travis Jackson, 36, was sentenced Wednesday to 21 years to life in prison for the killing of 22-year-old Tanner Staggs. The sentencing came on what would have been Staggs’ 23rd birthday.

In late May, a Montgomery County jury convicted Jackson on two counts of murder in Staggs’ death. He was also found guilty of felonious assault with a deadly weapon, felonious assault causing serious physical harm, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises and involuntary manslaughter.

The deadly shooting happened on Sept. 18, 2025, on Indiana Avenue in Dayton.

Police responded late that morning to reports of a shooting and found Staggs lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Miami Valley Hospital, where he later died.

At the time, Staggs was working a landscaping job for Dunham’s Lawn Care LLC.

The company remembered him as a hardworking and positive young man with a bright future.

“Tanner always had a positive attitude, was a good team player, got along well with others, was patient and understanding and a leader among our crew,” the business said in a statement to the Dayton Daily News. “He was a young man with so much life ahead of him. His passing leaves an unimaginable void for his loved ones, our team and the entire landscaping community.”

Investigators said witnesses told police that Jackson came out of a home and began arguing with Staggs about grass clippings and dirt getting on his vehicle while the crew worked.

The landscaping crew allegedly told Jackson they would use a blower to clean off the vehicle, but police said that did not calm him down.

Instead, Jackson pulled out a 9 mm handgun and fired multiple shots. Staggs was hit twice.

Jackson claimed he fired only after being struck without warning. His defense attorney argued at trial that Jackson had made a reasonable request and was reacting after being hit.

But other landscapers disputed that version of events. They testified that they did not see anyone assault Jackson before the shooting and said he was arguing and being disrespectful before pulling out the gun.

The jury ultimately sided with prosecutors.

Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. condemned the killing after Jackson’s sentence was announced.

“It is unimaginable that someone would become so upset about grass clippings on their car that they would fatally shoot someone,” Heck said. “Using a firearm to settle minor disputes is never acceptable.”