Portsmouth man arrested for attempted murder of a deputy

Published 3:50 pm Sunday, September 15, 2024

PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth man has been jailed after shooting a Scioto County deputy on Saturday, fleeing from his house and eventually being located at a ballfield bathroom before being arrested.

The case began after the 911 center got a call at 10:41 p.m. Saturday. The caller said they were on Facetime with a someone who said their stepdad had threatened them with a firearm.

Deputies responded to 53 Liberty Ave., Portsmouth. When a deputy attempted to contact the residents inside, he was shot but was able to radio 911 dispatch that he had been shot.

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The deputy, Ben Vance, was taken by helicopter to the Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus, where he was treated and released. He will require further medical treatment for his injuries.

Porter Township EMS was dispatched as well as officers and SWAT teams from the Portsmouth Police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and New Boston Police.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman advised that they were told that the suspect may have fled out the rear of the residence, but that was not certain.

A drone was used in an attempt to clear the residence, checking for the suspect.

The drone was able to check most of the residence however, the SWAT Team did have to enter to clear the rest of the house. The suspect was not located in the house.

Thoroughman said information came in that the suspect had contacted an individual asking for their assistance in fleeing the area.

The suspect was to meet the individual at the Wheelersburg ballfield on Dogwood Ridge, near the Marathon Convenient Mart.

Deputies set up surveillance in that area, this was occurring at the same time SWAT was clearing the suspect’s house.

Deputies were advised that the suspect should be armed with an AR style weapon with multiple magazines, a .45 caliber handgun as well as a .9 mm handgun.

The deputies doing the surveillance saw an individual coming from a tree line, staying in the shadows. He entered the ballpark from the rear and continued to stay in the shadows.

The area was secured and SWAT attempted to locate the suspect using a drone and thermal imaging. That was unsuccessful and a manual check of the field had to be completed.

The suspect was found in a restroom and a negotiator was used to talk him into surrendering.

Michael Bishop, 39, of 53 Liberty Ave., Portsmouth, was arrested and charged with first-degree felony attempted murder, two counts of second-degree felony felonious assault, three counts of third-degree felony having weapons under disability, third-degree felony tampering with evidence third-degree felony inducing panic and fifth-degree felony obstructing official business.

Bishop is being held in the Scioto County Jail.

Thoroughman said that this is still an ongoing investigation that could result in more charges at a later date.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sgt. Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.