HIGHLAND COUNTY, Ohio — Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 8:05 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in the 13000 block of State Route 72 and found a 41-year-old man deceased at the scene, according to the Highland County Sheriff's Office, as reported by The Leesburg Times. The Highland County Coroner's Office was called to investigate, and the sheriff's office has not released the man's name.

Source: The Leesburg Times

Investigators identified the suspect as Cassen Kelso Conaway, 20, of Highland County, who fled the scene before law enforcement arrived, the sheriff's office said. An intensive multi-agency manhunt continued through the night, according to the Scioto Valley Guardian's report of the sheriff's account. Assisting agencies included the Highland County Sheriff's Office K-9 and drone units and its 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.

Source: Scioto Valley Guardian

The sheriff's office announced on Friday evening, October 23, that Conaway had been taken into custody, and thanked the agencies and community members who assisted, The Leesburg Times reported in an update. The update did not say where Conaway was taken into custody, and no charges were announced at that time.

Source: The Leesburg Times

Jail records show Conaway was booked into the Highland County Jail on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 12:55 a.m. on a murder charge, Heritage Headlines reported. No bond amount was listed on the booking and no court date was listed yet. The sheriff's office has not released details about what led to the shooting or a possible motive, and the investigation remains active. Conaway is charged, not convicted; he is innocent until proven guilty.

Source: Heritage Headlines