NEWS RELEASE
December 29, 2024
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman stated that the 911 communication center received a call at 3:55 am on Saturday morning, December 28, 2024 reporting that multiple shots had been fired in the Lett Terrace PMHA Housing Complex.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated that deputies were in the area patrolling Washington Township and overheard the shots and were on scene within only a few minutes.
When arriving in the area deputies were flagged down by two females and a male. The male claimed that a vehicle had been following his girlfriend and her friends from the gas station.
The male claimed that he came outside to confront the subjects in the vehicle. He stated that the subjects in the vehicle opened fire on him as they drove away. The male complainant was detained for an outstanding warrant out of Dayton, Ohio.
Sheriff Thoroughman advised detectives were able to review security video which showed that the complainants had provided false information to deputies and detectives.
The security footage showed that the victims in the vehicle pulled onto Noel Lane driving with their windows up and that they were not shooting firearms at the complainants.
The security video showed that the subjects in the vehicle were ambushed by five individuals, all of whom opened fire on the subjects in the vehicle.
There were approximate 36 rounds shot towards the moving vehicle which was occupied by two juveniles. Several bullets did strike the vehicle. The shots were fired in the direction of apartments and several vehicles in the area were struck by bullets.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated some of the suspects had left the area with the firearms and detectives worked 18 hours straight to identify all of them. Detectives and deputies searched multiple locations throughout the night and located all of the suspects. The investigation uncovered a getaway vehicle, which was impounded, and two of the firearms used in the assault were recovered.
Detectives spoke with the two juvenile male victims and they stated that they met the girls at the gas station. They stated one of the girls began flirting with them and they followed them in hopes of getting a phone number.
Detectives determined that the only shots fired were from the five individuals that were waiting for the victims to pull into the Lett Terrace Apartments.
Arrested were: Trevon Watts, age 26, of 1525 Kinney St. Portsmouth, Ohio Kaeden Levi Borders, age 18, of 902 Terrace St. Portsmouth, Ohio, Cody Creed Milum, age 19, of 1657 Logan St. Portsmouth, Ohio.
Two juvenile males were also charged and are currently being held at the Ross County Detention Center.
All of the suspects have been charged with:
Discharging a Firearm Over a Roadway, a felony of the 3rd degree, Weapons Under Disability, a felony of the 3rd degree, Two counts of Felonious Assault, a felony of the 2nd degree, Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the 3rd degree, Improperly Discharging a Firearm into a Habitation, a felony of the 2nd degree, Three counts of Criminal Damaging, a felony of the 5th degree.
Trevon Watts was also charged with Criminal Trespass and a warrant out of Dayton for failure to appear. That warrant was listed as “caution, considered armed and dangerous”.
The investigation revealed information that these suspects are potentially involved in other crimes throughout the Portsmouth area.
Sheriff Thoroughman would like to thank PMHA Security, Paula Gibson, for her assistance and the hard work of the detectives and deputies involved in the investigation.
The hard work led to the quick arrest of all of the suspects involved, which helps keep the residents of Washington Township safe.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated that more charges will be presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury on a later date.
This is still an ongoing investigation, anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel @ 740-351-1091