Portsmouth Man Arrested for Attempted Murder of a Deputy

NEWS RELEASE​​​​​​

September 15, 2024

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman states that his 911 communication center received a

call around 10:41 pm Saturday, September 14th , from a caller stating they were on Facetime with

a subject. The caller advised that the subject’s stepdad threatened the subject with a firearm.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that deputies responded to 53 Liberty Ave. Portsmouth, Ohio. The

deputy attempted to contact the residents inside and a male subject immediately shot the deputy. The deputy notified dispatch via his portable radio that he had been shot. Porter Township EMS was dispatched as well as additional law enforcement, to include the Portsmouth Police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and New Boston Police.

Sheriff 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.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that information was received 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

setup 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 that were conducting the surveillance did observe an individual coming from a tree

line, staying in the shadows. The individual 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 located in a restroom and a negotiator was used to talk him into

surrendering.

Arrested was Michael Bishop, age 39, of 53 Liberty Ave. Portsmouth, Ohio. Bishop has been

charged with Attempted Murder, a felony of the 1st degree, two (2) counts of Felonious Assault, a felony of the 2nd degree, three (3) counts of Having Weapons Under Disability, a felony of the 3rd degree, Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the 3rd degree, Inducing Panic, a felony of the 4th

degree, and Obstructing Official Business, a felony of the 5th degree. Bishop is being held in the

Scioto County Jail and will appear in the Portsmouth Municipal Court on Monday, September

16, 2024.

The Deputy, Ben Vance, was Life Flighted to the Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio

where he was treated and released. He will require further medical treatment for his injuries and

I am asking for your prayers for his healing.

Sheriff Thoroughman would like to thank the Portsmouth Police Department, the Ohio State

Highway Patrol, the New Boston Police Department and the Porter Township Fire and Rescue

for their assistance with this incident.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation that could result in more

charges at a later date.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel @ 740-351-1091.

cc: Local Radio & News Media