Pike County shootings

The Pike County Shootings, also known as the Pike County Massacre, occurred on the night of April 21–22, 2016, when eight people - all belonging to the Rhoden family - were shot and killed in four homes in Pike County, Ohio, near the village of Peebles, from Columbus and from Cincinnati. Their bodies were found later on April 22. Seven of the victims - six adults and a 16-year-old boywere discovered to have been shot execution-style in three adjacent houses, while the eighth victim, an adult male, was found shot to death in his camper in nearby Piketon. Three young children, including two infants, were physically unharmed. At least two shooters were initially believed to be responsible.

Investigators believe the murders were premeditated, and that the perpetrators were known to the Rhoden family. On April 25, the Ohio Attorney General's office confirmed the presence of marijuana cultivation and cockfighting operations at some of the crime scenes, but did not confirm a direct connection to the killings. The ensuing investigation soon became the largest in Ohio's history.

In November 2018, four members of the Wagner family, who were known to the Rhodens, were arrested in Ohio and Kentucky, and charged in the eight murders. Edward "Jake" Wagner, an ex-boyfriend of victim Hanna Rhoden, and father of her three-year-old daughter pleaded guilty to all eight murders; he later testified that he shot five of the eight victims. Provided by Wikipedia