Pike County: Killing of 8 is not a typical mass shooting “Report”

In a nation of routine gun violence, Pike County killings still an anomaly.

For the first time since the crime tape went up, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is touring the scenes of Friday’s mass shooting that left seven family members and a fiancée dead.

DeWine said that he wanted to be more familiar with the scenes so he has more understanding as more evidence continues to come in.

“You have 8 bodies, you have 8 times the possibilities and scenarios,” DeWine added.

DeWine said that he and Sheriff Reader wanted to address some of the comments and rumors that have been going around.

“I also want to caution you, that any information in this investigation, unless it comes from the Attorney General’s office or myself, it should not be taken as verified,” Sheriff Reader said.

As questions came in about the whereabouts of a suspect or suspects, DeWine said there are no boundaries to where the people could be from or currently located.

One question was asked about whether or not this shooting can be compared to other mass shootings, DeWine was hesitant to compare them. He said that most mass shootings are in public or have witnesses, often leading to a quicker arrest.

“This is an old-fashioned, cold-blooded massacre of 8 human beings,” DeWine added.

Eight members of the Rhoden family were killed inside their 4 homes last week. On Tuesday, the coroner revealed that seven of the victims were shot multiple times. One of the victims had nine gunshot wounds.

So far, investigators have interviewed more than 50 people related to the case, but no arrests have been made.

On Sunday, authorities revealed that several marijuana plants were found at 3 of the crime scenes. They would not confirm if they believed the marijuana was related to the killings.

Three children survived the ordeal, a 3-year-old, a 6-month-old and a 4-day-old, who was found next to her mother in bed.

Agencies/Canadajournal