Collinsville, Illinois – The Madison County State’s Attorney has brought charges against three individuals in connection to a suspected murder-for-hire plot. The case revolves around the tragic shooting and killing of a Collinsville woman, Portia Rowland, which has been linked to a $10,000 scheme allegedly involving the victim’s girlfriend’s husband, the shooter, and the getaway driver.
Lt. Eric Owen from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis revealed that Sammy Shafer, Jr., the husband of the woman dating Rowland at the time of her death, is among the three suspects arrested. Shafer faces charges of first-degree murder and solicitation of murder for hire. The two other men, Gary Johnson and Marty Shaw, were also apprehended in connection to the case.
According to court documents, Shaw, who worked for Shafer, confessed that Shafer had hired him to carry out the murder, with Johnson being the one who ultimately shot and killed Rowland. The chilling details of the murder-for-hire scheme paint a picture of a calculated and coldhearted crime driven by personal animosity.
At a press conference, Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Haine expressed shock over the heinous nature of the crime and reiterated the commitment to seeking justice for Rowland. The community has been deeply affected by the tragedy, with family and friends mourning the loss of a beloved daughter and friend.
The suspects are expected to make their initial court appearances soon, with Shafer and Johnson currently in custody in Collinsville, while Shaw is held in a St. Louis County jail. Efforts are being made to keep the individuals behind bars as the legal proceedings unfold.
As the Collinsville Police Department takes over the investigation, questions about the motive behind the murder linger. Anyone with information related to the case is urged to come forward and assist in the ongoing inquiry to ensure that justice is served for Portia Rowland and her loved ones.