The 17-year-old victim of Sunday night’s shooting in Portsmouth remains in critical condition and faces a long series of surgeries, according to an update shared by his mother.
In a social media post Tuesday morning, she said her son has already undergone multiple operations and is preparing for another as doctors work to repair the extensive internal injuries caused by the gunshot.
According to the post, the bullet entered through his sternum and exited his back, striking several organs along the way, including his liver, colon, small intestine and urinary tract.
“He is in critical condition and on a breathing machine still,” she wrote. “He is responding and opening his eyes and squeezing my hand. He’s so strong and doing so good considering the circumstances.”
Doctors expect the teen will require additional surgeries over the coming months as he recovers from the trauma.
The mother also thanked the community for the outpouring of support.
Friends and supporters have begun raising money online to help cover travel, gas and food costs while the family remains near the trauma center during his recovery.
The teen was shot Sunday evening in the Wayne Hills area of Portsmouth, prompting a large police and emergency response.
Portsmouth police say officers were called around 7:25 p.m. to 1817 Thomas Avenue, Apartment F after reports that someone had been shot.
When officers arrived, they found the victim lying behind the building near the rear of the apartment complex.
Paramedics rushed him to Southern Ohio Medical Center, where he was stabilized before being transferred to an out-of-county trauma center. Witnesses reported that the teen was later transported by air ambulance.
Police say patrol officers quickly located two suspects believed to be involved in the shooting and recovered a firearm connected to the incident.
One of the suspects is an underage teen from West Portsmouth, identified by police as Brennen Malakyii Russell. Investigators say he faces several serious felony charges, including attempted murder, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence and felonious assault.
The second suspect, Colten A. Harmon of West Portsmouth, has been charged with aggravated robbery and felonious assault.
Harmon appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court Monday morning, where a judge ordered him held in the Scioto County Jail under bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 12.
Court records show Harmon has had prior contact with law enforcement. He was arrested for aggravated menacing in August 2024, though that case was later dismissed.
Police have not yet released details about what led to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and SCDN will continue to follow the case as more information becomes available.