News
Update: Eight Bodies Found in Pike County
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
Update 12:30 p.m.
Ohio’s attorney general says investigators and law enforcement worked through the night to gather information and execute search warrants as officials seek to determine who shot eight family members in the head in rural southern Ohio.
In a written statement on Saturday, Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said the investigation into the killings of the Rhoden family is still in its early stages. They said evidence continues to be processed and analyzed from the four properties near Piketon where the family members were found dead Friday.
Investigators say none of the deaths appeared self-inflicted, so they believe at least one assailant remained at large. No arrests have been made.
DeWine said he updated Gov. John Kasich on the investigation on Saturday morning.
The Rhoden family made a statement through a victim’s advocate on Satuday thanking the community and law enforcement for their work.
Update 10:26 a.m.
PIKETON, Ohio (AP) — Authorities in rural southern Ohio are urging residents to be cautious as the search continues for whoever fatally shot eight members of a family at four different properties.
The victims found Friday include seven adults and a 16-year-old boy. They were found in homes near Piketon, about 60 miles south of Columbus.
Authorities say all were shot in the head and that it appeared some were killed as they slept, including a mother in bed with her 4-day-old baby nearby. The infant and two other small children were not harmed.
Authorities say the victims are members of one family. Investigators say none of the deaths appeared self-inflicted, so they believe at least one assailant is at large.
Law enforcement officials say whoever is responsible should be considered armed and dangerous.
Update 3: 12 p.m.
CINCINNATI (AP) – An eighth body has been found in a fourth location in southern Ohio.
Spokeswoman Jill Del Greco says she doesn’t have any other information yet, but Attorney General Mike DeWine plans to provide an update in Pike County later Friday afternoon.
Authorities said earlier that at least seven people, including two children, were killed in what they described as “execution-style killings” in three homes along a rural Ohio road.
No arrests have been announced, and it’s unclear if the killer or killers are among the dead.
The bodies were discovered earlier Friday.
Update 1:45 p.m.
Authorities say at least seven people are dead in what they’re calling “execution-style killings” in three homes along a rural Ohio road.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said Friday that all the victims are believed to be members of the same family. They say the victims are believed to be five adults and two kids. All were shot to death.
They say there is not an active shooter and no arrests have been made. Authorities are trying to determine a motive, identify the deceased and determine if the killer or killers are among the deceased individuals or on the loose.
Pike County is in a predominantly rural Appalachian Mountain region some 80 miles east of Cincinnati.
Update 11:55 a.m.
Authorities say there are multiple crime scenes along the same road in rural Ohio where fatalities from a shooting have been reported.
Bureau of Criminal Investigation spokeswoman Jill Del Greco confirmed Friday morning that the shootings had happened in more than one location in Pike County. The attorney general’s office requested state help at 8:20 a.m.
So far, there is no official confirmation on how many fatalities there are and on whether a suspect or suspects were in custody.
Pike County is in a predominantly rural Appalachian Mountain region some 80 miles east of Cincinnati.
Update 11:25 a.m.
Authorities say there have been shootings involving multiple fatalities in rural Ohio.
The attorney general’s office says a dozen Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents have been called to Pike County. Spokesman Dan Tierney says the Pike County sheriff’s office requested state help at 8:20 a.m. Friday.
Tierney had no information on whether a suspect was in custody. He also had no confirmation on the number of fatalities.
Multiple news outlets are reporting there is more than one crime scene. TV reports from the scene say a staging area has been set up with ambulances and fire personnel.
Pike County is in a predominantly rural Appalachian Mountain region some 80 miles east of Cincinnati.
Several news outlets reported that the shooting was in or near a residence.
CINCINNATI (AP) – Authorities say there have been shootings involving multiple fatalities in southern Ohio.
The attorney general’s office says a dozen Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents have been called to Pike County. Spokesman Dan Tierney says the Pike County sheriff’s office requested state help at 8:20 a.m. Friday.
Tierney had no information on whether a suspect was in custody. He also had no confirmation on the number of fatalities.
Multiple news outlets are reporting there is more than one crime scene. TV reports from the scene say a staging area has been set up with ambulances and fire personnel.
Several news outlets reported that the shooting was in or near a residence.