Authorities in Pike County, Ohio are still struggling to unravel a hideous mass shooting that took place Friday, when eight family members were shot to death at four different houses. The Ohio Attorney General said Sunday night that “marijuana grow operations” were found at three of the houses where the killings occurred.
The victims have all been confirmed to be members of the Rhoden family; their deaths have commanded national attention due to their brutality. Two of those slain were just 16 and 19, and the mother of a four-day-old baby was shot to death with the infant lying next to her. A six-month-old and a three-year-old were also found unharmed.
On Sunday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine told ABC there were “marijuana grow operations” at three of the four houses where the family members were killed. He didn’t elaborate on the size of the operations, but an unnamed source told CNN it was “a very sophisticated operation,” one not meant for personal use.
DeWine’s office called the deaths “execution-style killings,” specifically meant to target the Rhodens.
The owner of a local steakhouse has offered a $25,000 reward to anyone who can help solve the case and identify the killers. Pike County officials said they’ve already interviewed more than 30 people and received over 100 tips. Anyone with information is asked to call the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation, 855-BCI-OHIO.
Emergency vehicles near the perimeter of one of the crime scenes, April 22, 2016. Photo via AP