A mass shooting in Ohio last week hasn’t quite broken through to the mainstream media, but the details are horrific. On Friday, seven adults and one teenage boy were found in four different locations methodically shot in the head, in what Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine called “a sophisticated operation.”
Pike County Sheriff states his office is doing everything possible to protect the remaining members of the Rhoden family @Enquirer #cgnow
— Cameron Knight (@ckpj99) April 22, 2016
The killers did spare three family members: a newborn infant who was in bed with her mother (who was executed), a 3-month-old and a 6-year-old. Authorities found marijuana-growing operations at three of the four locations of the shootings, although they’re not yet suggesting there’s a connection between the drug operation and the shootings.
No arrests have been made. At a press conference Sunday, Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said that he’s advised surviving relatives to be armed, and though the general public is not believed to be in danger, he added, “If you are fearful, arm yourself.”
"I have told other members of this family to arm themselves. If you feel unsafe, arm yourself." Sheriff investigating #PiketonMurders @wkyc
— Chris Tye (@TVTye) April 24, 2016
Pike Co. Sheriff to community: "If you are fearful arm yourself if you feel you need to protect yourself do so." #PikeCo
— Tara Morgan (@tarawsyx6) April 24, 2016
SHERIFF: "If you are fearful, arm yourself." @10TV #pikecountymurders pic.twitter.com/McsqbMHJBu
— Evan Anderson (@EvanNBC5) April 24, 2016
Sheriff in Pike Cty, Ohio warns residents to arm themselves, as deputies cannot be everywhere?Heck, GOA and NRA been saying that for years
— CSA4Ever (@csa4_ever) April 25, 2016
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https://twitter.com/thomasj17431826/status/724643794356838401
Man what's going on in Pike County, Ohio is nuts. "Arm yourselves" says the Sheriff… Sheesh! What has this world come to!?!
— The Donney (@NDD_ESQUIRE) April 24, 2016
Sheriff tells family 'arm yourselves.' How about protecting them? https://t.co/EKt6dOXcKd
— Dennis Schaal (@denschaal) April 25, 2016
It doesn’t sound like Pike County has enough deputies to stand guard at every house.
Sheriff in Ohio: "Pike County has 30,000 residents and deputies cannot be everywhere to protect residents", the officer said.
— Dano Sauter (@DanoSauter) April 25, 2016
Though gun control groups like Moms Demand haven’t been in a rush to quote him in their literature, even Vice President Joe Biden advised citizens to “buy a shotgun” and just fire the shotgun through the door to keep intruders away from your house if you sense a threat.