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1 person shot in Portage County; suspect in custody following standoff

The person was shot in the area of State Route 303 and State Route 88 and was taken to a nearby hospital. The suspect has been identified as John Swigart of Ravenna.

PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio — The Portage County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a shooting took place on Friday in Freedom Township.

In a release from Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, deputies were called to the scene of a reported shooting in the area of state Route 303 and state Route 88 at around 12:30 p.m. When they arrived, deputies found a man had been shot in the side.

EMS transported the victim to an area hospital. There is no word yet on his condition. 

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Detectives from sheriff's office identified the shooter as John Swigart, of Ravenna. According to Zuchowski, Swigart fled the area on foot, and Garfield High School in Garrettsville as well as the Shalersville branch of Bio-Med were placed on a soft lockdown. The Portage County EMA notified all residents and businesses in the area to shelter in place while investigators tried to track down Swigart.

Deputies later learned that Swigart was inside a residence in Shalersville Township. The Portage County Sheriff's Office Tactical Response Team along with negotiators arrived at the scene and began negotiating with Swigart inside the home. After approximately 30 minutes, Swigart agreed to surrender. He was taken into custody and transported to the Portage County Sheriff's Office without incident, and is currently is being detained. 

Zuchowski emphasized that at no time was there an active shooter situation. No other information has been provided at this time as the Portage County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau conducts its investigation. 

FROM SHERIFF BRUCE D. ZUCHOWSKI, PORTAGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PRESS RELEASE On Friday, February 9, 2024, at...

Posted by Portage County Sheriff's Office - Ohio on Friday, February 9, 2024

This is a developing story. Stay with 3News for more details as they become available. 

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