A man from Illinois was arrested after being accused of hiring a shooter to kill the girlfriend of his alienated woman in her driveway.
Portia Rowland, 32, is said to have been shot by Gary Johnson, 45, while she confused her car on her house on Olive Street in Madison County at about 6 hours on January 21.
Responding agents discovered that Rowland was near her garage and suffered from shot wounds.
Officials believe that the girlfriend of Rowland, the ex-armor of Sarah Shafer, Sammy Shafer Jr., 36, $ 10,000 paid to Johnson and his driver Marty Shaw, 33, in a murder-for-Hire plot.
The lawyer of Madison County State Thomas Haine has accused Sammy of two charges of murder in the first degree and two counts of request/murder-for-rent.
Similarly, Johnson is also accused of two counts of murder in the first degree and one count of possession of a weapon.
Haine described the incident as a “calculated and cold-hearted murder-for-rent schedule based on a personal complaint.”
'It is really shocking, and it has left a real mark on our community and, of course, in their lives.
Portia Rowland, 32, was reportedly shot by Gary Johnson, 45, while she was warming up her car outside her house on Olive Street in Madison County at around 6 am on January 21
Officials are of the opinion that Rowland's girlfriend, the ex-armor of Sarah Shachaer, Sammy Shafer Jr., 36, (photo) $ 10,000 paid to Johnson and his driver Marty Shaw, 33, in a murder-by-hire plot
'In our persecution of the case, our goal is to send a clear message to those who would work together to commit murder to bring violence into our community for whatever reason, that they will be found, That they will be prosecuted, that they will be will experience serious consequences in court, “he said.
According to Shachaer's court documents, SHAW reportedly admitted that Shaw has taken money from the contemptuous ex-husband and went to a casino after committing crime.
'The well -known director that he was hired by the suspect to kill the victim. The director then contacts the shooter and they go to the victim's home. Shooter waits outside as a victim to come out and then shoot the victim. Shooter then runs to where the driver is waiting.
'They then drive to the home of Shooter, where shooter changes his clothes and they go to the casino. The driver also admits that he sees the suspect the next day and paid $ 10,000 for the murder.
'Driver took $ 3,500 and gave $ 6,500 to shooter. Shooter also admitted that he was hired by the boss of the driver (suspect) to make a murder and shoot the victim. '
Johnson's court documents also state that he admitted that he killed Rowland and fled the scene with Shaw.
Sammy was busy separating Sarah, 34, who had a relationship with the victim, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
According to Sarah, Sammy had once threatened that if she wasn't with him, he “would do something in his power to keep the children away from her.
Johnson is accused of two counts of murder in the first degree and one counting of a weapon
Shaw, 33, as reportedly admitted to take money from the contempt ex-husband and go to a casino after committing crime
Sammy was busy separating Sarah, 34, (left) who had a relationship with the victim (right)
The duo married in 2013 and shares three children – 14, 12 and seven years old. Sammy had separated in 2023.
Amelia Minner, good friend of Rowland, said it was the most positive person and a huge proponent of her children, especially her son Camron Minner.
“It's sad. She will never come to my son's struggle. She will never look. She will never be in the community that supports as much as she is.
She thought it was great to do that. She was so happy to do that. It was never forced; It was what she wanted to do, “Amelia told KSDK.
'Once I heard about it, I was in shock for days. Yet it kills me about it. Not her in the neighborhood is just not good, “Camron added.
Her death message read: 'She was really a clear, shiny light in this world and lifted the spirits of everyone she met.
Johnson's (photo) judicial documents also state that he has admitted that he killed Rowland and fled the scene with Shaw
Amelia Minner, good friend of Rowland, said it was the most positive person and a huge proponent of her children, especially her son Camron Minner
'Portia was a talented athlete and she excelled in playing flag football, volleyball and billiards. Her biggest joy was to spend time with her family and hanging around with her friends. Portia will unfortunately be missed by everyone who knew her and loved her. '
Rowland is survived by brothers and sisters Maxwell Rowland, Christopher (Janyce Bennett) Mueller, Jessica (Tyler) Thornhill, Lucas Mueller, Jacob Mueller and, proud grandmother, Janis Rowland, special friend Sarah Shafer, Uncles, Aunts, Niches, Neefen, Niches, Niches, Niches, Niches, Niches, Niches, Niches, Niches, Nampen, , Issuing family.
While state officials have asked Sammy to be imprisoned during the trial, his lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, has insisted on the hearing of the detention instead, so that he can have more time to look at the evidence.
“We are clearly looking forward to entering a plea of not guilty and challenging that evidence,” said Rosenblum.
“I'm realistic. Only the charges itself and my experience in this county. It is expected that this would be the position of the state. We will see. '
The hearing of Sammy will take place on February 5 and the provisional hearing of Johnson will take place on 7 February.
