PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — A Chillicothe man will spend the next decade behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple charges of felonious assault and attempted felonious assault in connection to two separate shootings in Scioto County.
Jonah Lawwill, 19, entered his pleas on February 13, 2025, admitting to opening fire on private residences in Portsmouth and West Portsmouth last August. According to prosecutors, Lawwill fired a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine from a vehicle into homes occupied at the time.
The first incident occurred on August 6, 2024, along Mabert Road in Portsmouth. Just weeks later, on August 19, 2024, Lawwill allegedly carried out a similar attack on Brouse Street in West Portsmouth. Fortunately, despite the reckless gunfire, no serious injuries were reported.
A joint investigation by the Portsmouth Police Department and Scioto County Sheriff’s Office led authorities to connect the two shootings. Detectives gathered physical evidence from both scenes, which was later confirmed through ballistics analysis. Investigators also obtained a video of one of the shootings, further linking Lawwill to the crimes.
Prosecutors say the evidence suggested these were targeted attacks rather than random acts of violence. Lawwill was ultimately arrested and indicted based on the findings.
After negotiations between the State of Ohio and Lawwill’s defense team, a plea agreement was reached, resulting in a sentence of 10 to 13.5 years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman credited the collaborative efforts of law enforcement for securing the conviction.
“When the agencies work together, good things happen,” Tieman said. “It is imperative that we get these people who don’t hesitate to pull the trigger off the streets. The sentence against Mr. Lawwill is a good start in that regard.”
Lawwill was represented by Attorney Shawn Stratton, while Tieman prosecuted the case on behalf of the state.