04/28/2026
Licking County Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in a Domestic Violence and Shooting Investigation. The Licking County Sheriff’s Office reports on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at approximately 8:18 AM, deputies were dispatched to the 10000 block of Purity Road on a shooting.
Deputies along with Mary Ann Township Fire Department and Newton Township Fire Department arrived on scene at 8:30 AM, and found two victims, one suffering from a gunshot wound. During the initial investigation, it was learned that a female victim had escaped from a nearby residence during a domestic violence dispute and was seeking help, which led to the shooting of the uninvolved party. Both victims were transported to an area hospital to receive medical treatment for non life threatening injuries. Initial reports indicated the suspect had returned to a residence in the 11000 block of Harmon Road, resulting in the activation of Licking County Sheriff’s Swat Team. The suspect was not located at that residence.
Throughout the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 36-year-old James Walter Johnson. It was confirmed that Mr. Johnson had fled after the shooting in a white 2012 GMC Terrain. Detectives have located the vehicle in question in Mount Vernon, Ohio, with the assistance of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Mount Vernon Police Department.
Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call the Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888. A special coding system protects the identity of the caller but allows for the reward to be issued at a later time. Crime Stoppers also encourages calls and offers rewards to persons who provide information about other crimes not listed in this press release. If you have information on any other crimes, please call Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888.
Licking County Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization created in 1994. Reward money comes from private individuals, businesses, and foundations that see Crime Stoppers as an integral tool in the community’s fight against crime. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: Licking County Crime Stoppers, Inc., P.O. Box 304, Newark, OH 43058-0304.
Licking County Crime Stoppers posts information it receives from law enforcement agencies and makes no representation regarding the accuracy of the information. Licking County Crime Stoppers is not responsible for any error or omission relating to this information. The posting of this information is in fulfillment of the purposes of the non-profit organization to help solve crimes in Licking County.