Execution of Ohio family 'Well-planned and methodical', say Sheriff

by Fox News | International

 

* Lt. Michael Preston, of the Ross County Sheriff's Department, speaks to the
 media on Union Hill Road that approaches a crime scene on Friday in
Pike County, Ohio. (Credit: Daily News).

The killing of eight members of the same family in rural Ohio, United States of America was well-planned and methodical according to the local Sheriff.

 

It happened on Friday in a part of Ohio where, police say everybody knows everybody and even though the victims lived within a close radius but not in the same location, the killers managed to target and shoot them each on the head.

hree young children survived the attack and were later taken away by officer investigation the crime scene which, they say, will remain active for some time to come.

"The deceased were found on four rural Ohio properties, shot to death. Most were apparently sleeping when they were killed. Three young children -- including a 4-day-old infant -- were also found unharmed at the crime scenes." Fox News reports.

“This was a preplanned execution of eight individuals,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. “It was a sophisticated operation. And those who carried it out were trying to do everything they could do to hinder the investigation and their prosecution.

“This is not your case where someone got mad at somebody else, shot him, there’s a witness, two witnesses. It’s a very, very different kind of case.”

Authorities have not yet named a suspect and have yet to say how many people may have been involved. They said none of the victims died from a suicide.

Fox News Report that all the victims were members of the Rhoden family: 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr.; his 16-year-old son, Christopher Rhoden Jr.; 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden; 38-year-old Gary Rhoden; 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; 20-year-old Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden; 20-year-old Hannah Gilley; and 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden.

DeWine said a force of at least 100 investigators had already received more than 100 tips and conducted more than 50 interviews. Five search warrants had been executed and the four crime scenes had been evaluated and secured. DNA technicians were currently examining 18 pieces of evidence at a state crime lab.

Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said he advised other members of the “targeted” Rhoden family that they could be in danger and advised them to be armed.

DeWine initially “would not comment” on whether drugs were involved, but eventually revealed that marijuana growing operations had been uncovered in three locations.

 

(* With contributions from Daily News and WCPO Cincinnati)

 

* Approach to Crime Scene:  (Credit: Daily News)

 

* Aerial shot of Crime Scene that has baffled locals. (Credit: Daily News)

 

* Christopher Rhoden, Sr (40) (Credit: NBC4i.com)

* Dana Rhoden (38).  (Credit: Daily News)



* Killed: Hannah Rhoden (19).  (Credit: Daily News)



* Killed: Christopher Rhoden Jnr. (16).  (Credit: Daily News)