HILLSBORO, Ohio — The Highland County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 20-year-old man accused in a fatal shooting that left a 41-year-old man dead on the evening of Oct. 22, launching an overnight manhunt involving more than a dozen local, state and federal resources.
Deputies were called to the 13000 block of State Route 72 at approximately 8:05 p.m. after a report of a shooting, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies, Leesburg police officers and EMS crews arrived to find a 41-year-old man dead at the scene. The Highland County Coroner’s Office was called to investigate.
The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as Cassen Kelso Conaway, 20, of Highland County, who authorities said fled the area before deputies arrived. As of Friday morning, Conaway had not been located.
An intensive, multi-agency search for Conaway continued through the night, according to the sheriff’s office. Assisting units included the Highland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 and drone units, the Highland County Special Response Team, the Greenfield Police Department’s K-9 unit, the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s aviation unit and troopers, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Highland County Victim Witness personnel also responded to assist those affected by the shooting, the sheriff’s office said.
State Route 72 runs through rural Highland County, linking Hillsboro to Leesburg to the northeast. The 13000 block sits between the two communities.
The Highland County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details about what led to the shooting or a possible motive. The investigation remains active.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Anyone with information on Conaway’s whereabouts is asked to call the Highland County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 393-1421.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office.
