Eight members of the same family were fatally shot in the head in Pike County, Ohio on Friday, with a manhunt underway to find the killer(s).
Seven adults and one teenager were shot in the head in four different homes in southern rural Ohio, including a mother laying in bed with her 4-day-old baby, according to Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
Eight family members, including a 16-year-old, shot dead in Pike Co. Latest updates: https://t.co/SpxCaj8jJZ pic.twitter.com/lp2bFUsa2R
— WCPO (@WCPO) April 22, 2016
All of the victims have been identified as members of the Rhoden family. Along with the newborn, two other children, ages 6 months and 3 years, were found alive in the homes.
Three of the houses where the bodies were found were on the same road, all within a couple of miles from each other, with the fourth home being farther away, Reader said.
The latest in Piketon:
8 members of the Rhoden family shot in the head
3 children survived, uninjured
4 crime scenes between 30 miles@WCPO— Ally Kraemer (@AllyKraemer) April 22, 2016
DeWine stated in a news conference Friday evening that there is “no indication that any of the individuals killed themselves,” leading investigators to believe it was not a murder-suicide and that whoever is responsible for the killings is still on the loose.
Reader stated on Sunday there was no person of interest, but officials had interviewed over 50 people so far. He also said no motive had been established. However, he said it was clear the Rhoden family was the target.
Reader also said that he’s warned the Rhoden family to be armed while the shooter(s) is still on the loose.
DeWine: We have received more than 100 tips. We've conducted more than 50 interviews WATCH live: https://t.co/q8HCjOYbCH
— Maureen Hagrman WLWT (@MaureenWLWT) April 24, 2016
Pike Co., OH, Sheriff Chuck Reader says he's advised members of the Rhoden family to be armed after Friday's rampage pic.twitter.com/UPPLZLl09u
— Todd Dykes (@ToddDykesWLWT) April 24, 2016
In a news conference on Sunday, DeWine confirmed on Sunday that marijuana-growing operations were found at three of the four houses where the shootings occurred.
Ohio AG: Pot grow operations found at Pike County crime scenes; killings were planned, methodical https://t.co/1uhCjFHbpl
— WLWT.com (@WLWT) April 24, 2016
Little information is being released about the investigation, but authorities believe there was likely more than one shooter and that it was a “pre-planned execution.” DeWine stated that whoever carried it out “did everything that they could do to hinder the investigation and their prosecution.”
A reward of $25,000 has been offered by a Cincinnati restaurant owner for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer(s).
Cincinnati restaurant owner offers $25K reward in Pike County slayings. #cgnow pic.twitter.com/QaxBy2mvIS
— Michael Throne (@EditorThrone) April 23, 2016
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