A Chillicothe teenager is trading his high school years for hard time after unleashing a terrifying shooting spree across Scioto County. Jonah Lawwill, the 19-year-old behind two drive-by shootings last August, will now be spending the next 10 to 13 years behind bars after pleading guilty to felonious assault and attempted felonious assault in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
A Summer of Gunfire
Lawwill’s reckless rampage began on August 6, 2024, in Portsmouth’s Mabert Road area and continued on August 19, 2024, in West Portsmouth on Brouse Street. Armed with a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, he brazenly fired into occupied homes from a moving vehicle—sending shockwaves through the community. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured.
The Investigation That Brought Him Down
Authorities from the Portsmouth Police Department and the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office quickly connected the dots, following up on leads, examining ballistics evidence, and conducting search warrants on electronic devices. The breakthrough? A video of one of the shootings surfaced, confirming the attacks weren’t just random bursts of violence—they were targeted acts of aggression.
Justice Served?
After intense legal negotiations, Lawwill agreed to a plea deal that landed him in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections for at least a decade. Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman didn’t mince words: “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.”
Family Cries Foul
Not everyone is convinced of Lawwill’s guilt. His sister launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Help Jonah Overcome Wrongful Accusations,” passionately defending him: “My brother Jonah Lawwill is being wrongfully accused of something he didn’t do. He has no criminal background, was about to graduate, and had his whole life ahead of him.”
Another Teen in the Hot Seat
Lawwill wasn’t the only one charged in connection with the shootings. Tyreese Harding, another teenager, was set for a jury trial on February 25, but in a last-minute move, waived his right to a jury trial on February 13.
What’s Next?
With Lawwill behind bars and Harding’s fate hanging in the balance, Scioto County residents are left wondering—just how many more young lives will be lost to senseless violence?
