Ohio shootings: Police tell surviving family members to take up arms with killer still on run

Surviving members of an Ohio family whose relatives were murdered "execution style" have been told to arm themselves for protection with the killer or killers still at large.

Eight members of the Rhoden family were specifically targeted in what police described as a pre-planned, "sophisticated operation" on Friday.

Officers have now urged surviving relatives to arm themselves amid fears those responsible could strike again.

Here's a reminder of what we know so far about the mass shootings.

  • The killings

Emergency services in Piketon. Credit: EBU

The eight victims were shot in the head - many as they slept - during the massacre, police said.

Their bodies were discovered at four separate properties in Piketon, a town of some 2,000 people in rural Ohio.

Authorities released the disturbing emergency calls made from two of thee homes where the bodies were found.

"There's blood all over the house," one woman is heard screaming.

  • The victims

The victims of the massacre. Credit: NBC

A mother who was shot as she cradled her four-day-old baby in her arms was among the victims.

The newborn baby was spared by the gunman.

A six-month-old child and a three-year-old also survived.

The victims, aged between 16 and 44, have been named as:

  • Hannah Gilley, 20,

  • Christopher Rhoden Sr, 40

  • Christopher Rhoden, Jr, 16

  • Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20

  • Dana Rhoden, 37

  • Gary Rhoden, 38

  • Hanna Rhoden, 19

  • Kenneth Rhoden, 44

A cordon is put in place at one of the crime scenes. Credit: NBC

  • Manhunt and investigation

Attorney general Mike DeWine said the killings were "a sophisticated operation".

Those he carried out the massacre "were trying to do everything they could do to hinder the investigation and their prosecution", he added.

"We would anticipate that this could be a lengthy investigation," he added.

"This is not your case where someone got mad at somebody else, and shot them, [and] there's a witness, two witnesses. It is a very, very different type of case."

Despite using plural pronouns, he insisted investigators remained unsure whether they were seeking "a bad guy or bad guys".

A sheriff said he has urged other surviving members of the Rhoden family to arm themselves for protection, but "for other citizens of this county, I don't believe there is an issue."

It also emerged that several marijuana-growing operations were found at the crime scenes but investigators said it was unclear what, if any, role it had in Friday's massacre.

  • Community stunned

Donations are being collected for surviving family members. Credit: Reuters

The community of Piketon has reacted with horror to the killings.

Maggie Owens, 39, a chef at a local restaurant, said people "are just scared."

"You don't hear about stuff like that around here."

A local businessman has also put up a $25,000 reward for details leading to the capture and conviction of the killer or killers.