NEWS RELEASE
July 11, 2023
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman states that on July 10, 2023 at approximately 6:52
p.m. his Emergency 9-1-1 Commination’s Center received a call from a mother, stating that her
son had forced his way into her house on Bussey Road in Wheelersburg. Deputies were advised
that the son was attempting to retrieve firearms and that he was suffering from mental health
issues.
Sheriff Thoroughman states that deputies were dispatched to that location and upon arrival
attempted to contact the male subject. The mother, who was close to the area, returned home.
After no contact was made with the son, the mother opened the garage door and allowed deputies to enter the residence. Deputies proceeded to the basement area in attempts to locate the son.
As deputies were searching the basement area they could hear a shotgun being racked, loading a
shell into the firing chamber. The suspect then pointed the shotgun at deputies. Deputies exited
the residence and setup a perimeter, securing the house.
During negotiations with the suspect, he fired one round inside the residence. It was later
discovered that the round that was fired was fired from an inner basement bedroom. The bullet
went through a closet door, struck the floor, then ricocheted into the outer basement wall. Just
after an hour of negations the suspect exited the residence with a pistol in hand, placing the pistol
on top of a vehicle and surrendered to deputies.
Arrested was Zachary Cunningham, age 28, of 85 Jewell Road Franklin Furnace, Ohio.
Cunningham has been charged with Using Weapons While Intoxicated, Criminal Trespass,
Improperly Discharging Firearm at or into Habituation, Aggravated Menacing, Domestic
Violence and Unlawful Restraint. Cunningham is being held on a $68,250 bond after appearing
in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Sheriff Thoroughman would like to thank the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Portsmouth
Police Department for their assistance.
Sheriff Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation and the case will be
presented to a Scioto County Grand Jury on a later date, which could result in more charges
being filed. Anyone with information should contact Sergeant Brian Nolan @ 740-354-7566