Scorned ex-husband ‘carried out evil act towards former spouse’s new girlfriend’
An Illinois man has been arrested after being accused of hiring a shooter to murder his estranged wife’s girlfriend in her driveway.
Portia Rowland, 32, was allegedly shot to death by Gary Johnson, 45, while she was warming up her car outside her home on Olive Street in Madison County at around 6am on January 21.
Responding cops found Rowland lying near her garage and suffering from gunshot wounds.
Officials believe that Rowland’s girlfriend, Sarah Shafer’s ex husband, Sammy Shafer Jr., 36, paid $10,000 to Johnson and his driver Marty Shaw, 33, in a murder-for-hire plot.
Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Haine has charged Sammy with two charges of first-degree murder and two counts of solicitation/murder-for-hire.
Similarly, Johnson is also charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of being in possession of a weapon.
Haine described the incident as a ‘calculated and coldhearted murder-for-hire scheme based on a personal grievance.’
‘It’s truly shocking, and it has left a real mark on our community and, of course, on their lives.

Portia Rowland, 32, was allegedly shot to death by Gary Johnson, 45, while she was warming up her car outside her home on Olive Street in Madison County at around 6am on January 21

Officials believe that Rowland’s girlfriend, Sarah Shafer’s ex husband, Sammy Shafer Jr., 36, (pictured) paid $10,000 to Johnson and his driver Marty Shaw, 33, in a murder-for-hire plot
‘In our prosecution of the case, our goal is to send a clear message to those who would conspire to commit murder, conspire to bring violence into our community for any reason, that they will be found, that they will be prosecuted, that they will face severe consequences in the court of law,’ he said.
According to Shafer’s court documents, Shaw has reportedly admitted to taking money from the scorned ex-husband and going to a casino after committing the crime.
‘Driver confessed to being hired by Defendant to kill Victim. Driver then contacts shooter and they go to Victim’s residence. Shooter waits outside for Victim to come out and then shoot Victim. Shooter then runs to where Driver is waiting.
‘They then drive to Shooter’s residence where Shooter changes his clothes and they go to the casino. Driver also admits to then seeing Defendant the next day and being paid $10,000 for the murder.
‘Driver took $3,500 and gave $6,500 to Shooter. Shooter also admitted to being hired by Driver’s boss (Defendant) to do a murder and to shooting Victim.’
Johnson’s court documents also state that he has admitted to killing Rowland and fleeing the scene with Shaw.
Sammy was in the process of divorcing Sarah, 34, who was in a relationship with the victim, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
According to Sarah, Sammy had once threatened that if she wouldn’t be with him he would ‘do anything in his power to keep the kids away’ from her.

Johnson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of being in possession of a weapon

Shaw, 33, as reportedly admitted to taking money from the scorned ex-husband and going to a casino after committing the crime

Sammy was in the process of divorcing Sarah, 34, (left) who was in a relationship with the victim (right)
The duo got married in 2013 and share three children – aged 14, 12 and seven. Sammy had filed divorce in 2023.
Amelia Minner, close friend of Rowland, said was the most positive person and a huge supporter of her children, especially her son Camron Minner.
‘It’s sad. She’ll never come to my son’s wrestling meets. She’ll never get to watch. She’ll never be in the community supporting as much as she did.
She loved doing that. She was so happy to do that. It was never forced; it was what she wanted to do,’ Amelia told KSDK.
‘Once I heard about it, I was in shock for days. Still, it kills me thinking about it. Her not being around just doesn’t feel right,’ Camron added.
Her obituary read: ‘She was truly a bright, shining light in this world and lifted the spirits of everyone she met.

Johnson’s (pictured) court documents also state that he has admitted to killing Rowland and fleeing the scene with Shaw

Amelia Minner, close friend of Rowland, said was the most positive person and a huge supporter of her children, especially her son Camron Minner
‘Portia was a talented athlete, and she excelled in playing flag football, volleyball and billiards. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and hanging out with her friends. Portia will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.’
Rowland is survived by siblings Maxwell Rowland, Christopher (Janyce Bennett) Mueller, Jessica (Tyler) Thornhill, Lucas Mueller, Jacob Mueller and, proud grandmother, Janis Rowland, special friend Sarah Shafer, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, extended family.
While state officials have asked for Sammy to be jailed throughout the trial, his attorney, Scott Rosenblum has instead pushed for the detention hearing to be moved to next week so that he can have more time to look at the evidence.
‘We look forward obviously to entering a plea of not guilty and challenging that evidence,’ Rosenblum said.
‘I’m realistic. Just the charges itself and my experience in this county. It’s expected that would be the state’s position. We’ll see.’
Sammy’s detention hearing will be on February 5 and Johnson’s preliminary hearing will be on February 7.