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Pike County Mass Shootings: Victims Identified And Possible Motive Offered

By Angela Woods
Published on: 16:05 PST, Apr 23, 2016

The victims of a horrific mass shooting in Pike County, Ohio, that seems to have targeted one specific family have now been identified. Eight members of the Rhoden family were shot execution style on Friday night. Crime scene evidence suggests that most of the deceased were shot while they were asleep, including a young mother who was cradling her 4-day-old child in her arms. The victims included seven adults and one 16-year-old male. Authorities are speculating that more than one killer may have been involved in the attacks. All of the victims lived in the same area but resided in four separate homes. Of the four homes attacked only three small children survived.

The Daily Mail has identified the Pike County victims as follows:

  • Kenneth Rhoden, 44
  • Chris Rhoden, Sr., 40
  • Gary Rhoden, 38
  • Dana Lynn Rhoden, 37
  • Hanna May Rhoden, 22
  • Frankie Rhoden, 20
  • Hannah Hazel Gilley, 20 (fiancée of Frankie Rhoden)
  • Chris Rhoden, Jr., 16

All of the bodies were found dead at four respective homes located on Union Hill Road.

Frankie Rhoden was a recent father and fiancé to Hannah Hazel Gilley.

It now appears that Frankie Rhoden may be at the center of a purported motive offered exclusively to the Daily Mail by another family member, Johnny Gambill. Gambill’s wife Loretta is first cousin to one of the deceased, Dana Lynn Rhoden.

Gambill spoke of his suspicions.

“Some of us have been talking about the jealousy that Frankie had faced over his car.

“It was worth more than $3,000 and that made some people jealous around Piketon.

“My wife had spoken to Dana about it and we feel today that could be the reason because there ain’t nothing else that seems what it could it be.”

Gambill was adamant that neither drugs nor money fueled the murders. He stated that the Rhodens were a good family who were close to each other.

The bizarre and troubling potential motive was supported by Russ Clark, co-owner of Smash It Demolition Derbys. Frankie Rhoden was a frequent participant in the local demolition derbies, and his vehicle was estimated to be of considerably higher value than other vehicles that were entered in the sport. According to Clark, most vehicles entered in the races typically tend to be valued around $500 to $1000 with some high-end models valued at $2000. Rhoden’s vehicle, a 1990 Ford Crown Victoria, was valued at roughly $3000.

In addition, Rhoden was the frequent victor in many of the derbies. His car had smashed up the vehicles of a large number of competitors, and he had heated altercations with many of the vehicles’ owners.

In the demolition derbies, the last car that remains standing is declared the winner. The derbies are a popular attraction in the area and attract thousands of spectators to each event.

Johnny Gambill spoke further in regard to his feelings about the possible motive.

“The whole thing is so shocking and if the car was the reason then that is so disgusting and incredible. But there were people jealous about him and his car.”

Remaining members of the large family, of which 100 gathered at a local church to console each other and answer questions from the police, remain understandably fearful about their own safety and requested that the media refrain from publishing their photographs. They also have reached out to the sheriff’s office to secure additional means for their protection.

Pastor Phil Fulton told the press on Saturday that the family members of those murdered were “not doing well at all.”

Police feel certain that the killer(s) were not among the victims and that they remain at large.

Jeff Ruby, a Cincinnati restaurant owner, offered a $25,000 reward via Twitter on Saturday for information leading to the arrest of the killer(s).

[Image via Twitter]

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