Sheriff Charles Reader reports that on Saturday, October 17th, 2015 at 2:12 hrs., a Concerned Citizen flagged down a Sheriff’s Deputy that was patrolling the area of State Route 32 and Shyville Road. The Concerned Citizen reported that a possible fight had occurred at Beril’s Tavern in Piketon, Ohio. The Concerned Citizen further advised that the persons involved were fleeing the area in a van. At the same time, A Piketon Police unit patrolling the Village advised Sheriff Readers’ Communications Center that he would monitor radio traffic. The deputy continued patrolling the county, due to there not being any reports from that establishment, in Piketon, being made to local law enforcement concerning an altercation.
At 2:28 a.m. Sheriff Readers’ Communications Center received a call from the Adena Pike Medical Center. The call concerned a notice that a man had arrived at the emergency room, with injuries sustained from an alleged altercation, at Beril’s Bar in Piketon, Ohio. The Sheriff’s Communications Center notified the Piketon Police Department of the situation. At 2:59 a.m., a Piketon Police Department unit arrived at the hospital.
At 3:06 a.m., a Piketon Police unit contacted the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center from Adena Pike Medical Center, to request that a Sheriff Investigator assist in the investigation, due to 42 year old Shane Johnson, of Columbus, Ohio succumbing to his injuries.
At 3:15am Sheriff Deputies arrived at Beril’s Tavern to secure the scene along with Piketon Police Chief Jim Nelson, Piketon Police Units, Sheriff’s Deputies, Sheriff’s Investigators, Sheriff Reader, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI&I). A permission to search the establishment and a search warrant were also executed on that establishment. The owner of the bar, Roger Carson, is being completely cooperative with law enforcement investigators.
At 10:10 a.m. a search warrant was executed at the residence on Takett Lane in Piketon, Ohio by Pike County Shierff’s Deputies and Sheriff Reader. Thomas E. Trent Jr., age 42, was taken into custody, without incident, to be questioned by Sheriff’s investigators. Investigators observed injuries to Trent upon contact with him. Due to his injuries, he was transported to Adena Pike Medical Center where he was treated and released. Investigators then conducted an interview with Trent in reference to the incident that took place earlier at Beril’s Tavern in Piketon, Ohio. It was discovered that Trent may have been a victim to an assault, which occurred earlier in the evening. Later, involving a second event, Trent may have been a party in the altercation that led to the death of Johnson. Sheriff’s Investigators continue to investigate the incident that took place, which lead to the death of Shane Johnson, age 42 of Columbus, Ohio. Investigators have located and interviewed several persons regarding the incident and obtained statements regarding matters concerning the altercation.
Sheriff’s Investigators are still seeking the whereabouts of Tim Reberon, possibly of Union County, Ohio: Haylie Kyle of Pike County, Ohio: Amy Kyle of Pike County, Ohio and Jonathan B. Bartley of Columbus, Ohio for questioning as material witnesses and/or suspects in the incident. Anyone having knowledge of their whereabouts are encouraged to contact Major Tracy Evans, Chief Investigator, with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office at (740)947-2111.
Sheriff Reader urges anyone that may be involved or may have been a witness to this incident, to please contact his office immediately at (740)947-2111: or provide an anonymous tip, on the tip line )(740)947-4100 Option#5. The valuable assistance from the great citizens of this county, is deeply appreciated.
This is all the current information that we can provide as the investigation is ongoing. When the criminal investigations concludes, the case will be prepared for Pike County Prosecutor, Rob Junk to present to the next available term of Pike County Grand Jury.
