CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A local man is facing felonious assault charges after allegedly stabbing an acquaintance with a six-inch knife during a dispute on Winona Boulevard on Wednesday evening.
Albert Scoles was arrested by Chillicothe police on Oct. 14, 2026, and transported to the Ross County Jail following the incident. The victim, Mark Wagner, was treated for a laceration to his left side at Adena Regional Medical Center.
Incident and Response
According to law enforcement reports, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Winona Boulevard around 7:45 p.m. in response to a reported stabbing.
Officer Matthew Richardson was the first unit on the scene and encountered Wagner walking in the street with a visible wound to his torso. Wagner directed officers toward Scoles, who was walking quickly down the street while yelling.
Officer Richardson held Scoles at gunpoint until Officer Lance Canterbury arrived to assist. Officers detained Scoles and confiscated three knives from his person, including a wooden-handled Buck-style knife mounted on his hip that appeared to have fresh blood on the blade.
First responders provided immediate medical care and applied a pressure dressing to Wagner’s injury before Chillicothe EMS transported him to Adena Regional Medical Center for further treatment. Detectives later documented a 2.5-inch laceration to the rear of Wagner’s rib cage.
Conflicting Accounts
During initial questioning, both men provided differing accounts of the events leading up to the stabbing:
- Victim Account: Wagner told detectives he walked to Scoles’ residence at 146 Winona Blvd. after Scoles failed to pick him up from a local restaurant as previously arranged. Wagner stated he confronted Scoles about drinking and selling items that belonged to Scoles’ incarcerated brother. According to Wagner, the confrontation escalated, and Scoles attacked him with the knife.
- Suspect Account: Scoles told officers that Wagner had arrived at the residence demanding to borrow his vehicle. Scoles claimed Wagner became aggressive and threatened to remove the car’s battery and other items. Scoles stated he pulled the knife to deter Wagner and accidentally “grazed” him when Wagner rushed toward him. Scoles admitted to officers that Wagner was unarmed.
Investigation Status
Chillicothe Police canvassed the area and recovered home security video from a nearby resident on Winona Boulevard. The footage captured the verbal argument between the two men following the stabbing and was secured as evidence.
Based on the evidence and statements gathered at the scene, investigators placed Scoles under arrest for Felonious Assault. The case remains under investigation by the Chillicothe Police Department.
