Suspect Arrested in Adams County Fatal Shooting; Victim James Land, 47

James D. Land, 47, was found dead by Adams County deputies after multiple callers reported gunfire in the village of Manchester, Ohio, at approximately 4:42 a.m. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities say a suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Deputies responding to several calls that described what sounded like multiple shots fired located one person suffering fatal injuries when they arrived in Manchester. Law enforcement officers pronounced the victim dead on the scene and secured the area while investigators began an initial canvass.

The shooting occurred early on Feb. 15, 2026, according to dispatch times tied to the response; deputies were dispatched around 4:42 a.m. to the village of Manchester in Adams County. Officials have identified the deceased as James D. Land, 47, and have described the incident as a fatal shooting that claimed his life when officers reached the location.

A suspect was taken into custody in connection with the case, though authorities have not released the suspect’s name or formal charges. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation and has indicated the probe remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence from the scene and follow up on witness accounts from several callers who contacted dispatch early Sunday morning.

Manchester village residents and local officials have been notified of the incident, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge anyone with information about the Feb. 15, 2026 shooting to contact investigators. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of James D. Land remains ongoing, and further details about the arrest and any charges are expected to be released by the sheriff’s office as they become available.