Knockemstiff, Ohio

From the Columbus Dispatch of July 11, 2006

Men shot, perhaps in break-in attempt

Ross County deputies are investigating the shootings of two men yesterday morning in an apparent home invasion.

Deputies got a call between 1:30 and 2 a.m. from a man at 4999 Black Run Rd., reporting that people were trying to break into the house, Sheriff Ron Nichols said.

The man, whose identity could not be confirmed yesterday, asked police to respond and said that he thought he shot one of the intruders, Nichols said.

The reported intruders left the house, located about 10 miles southwest of Chillicothe and just north of Knockemstiff, before authorities arrived, Nichols said.

A short time later, a Chillicothe police officer pulled over a vehicle and found Jason Van-Hooser and Wayne Detty, both of Chillicothe, inside.

VanHooser, 31, was shot in the head and arm. He was taken to Adena Regional Medical Center, then flown to Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Nichols said.

A hospital spokeswoman said she was not allowed to release his condition.

Detty, 29, was treated for a gunshot wound to the upper arm and released. He did not return a phone call yesterday.

Phone numbers for the Black Run Road residence and Van-Hooser were disconnected.

Authorities are interviewing witnesses and have made no arrests, Nichols said. The investigation will be forwarded to the Ross County prosecutor’s office for review.

From the Chillicothe Gazette of July 22, 2006

No charges filed in invasion, shooting

Charges have not been filed in the home invasion where a Chillicothe man was shot.

However, investigators are waiting to see if Jason Vanhooser dies before making a ruling on the case.

"There has been no charges filed so the clock is not running," Nichols said to explain why investigators are waiting. "We have seven years to file a felony charge."

The case, originally reported as a possible intrusion at the residence of Dan Steele, 4999 Black Run Road, may not turn out to be one, Nichols added.

"We are looking at a felony charge, possibly felonious assault from this case," he said. "We know what we were told and it could still be a home invasion is they tried to break in even if they are trying to cover up something else."

Vanhooser was shot in the head and taken by helicopter to a Columbus hospital, where he is in serious condition. Nichols said because of his injuries he will never be the same again. A second man, Wayne Detty, was treated and released from the emergency room at Adena Regional Medical Center.