Joseph Cales, 41, of New Boston, Ohio, was fatally shot on December 6, 2023, around 5 PM in the 4200 block of Rhodes Avenue in Portsmouth. Emergency responders transported him from the scene but he died shortly thereafter; authorities have classified his death as a homicide by gun violence.

Police identified a suspect quickly after the shooting. Gary Whisman, 54, of McDermott, was arrested without incident and is facing charges connected to Cales’ death, though exact charges have not been released. The community has expressed shock and grief, and family and friends remember Cales as a valued member of their lives.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact investigators to assist the ongoing inquiry.