A man is in jail on multiple charges related to an attack on his family members in their home Friday night. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives say 57 year old David Edward Hodges, shot and killed his father-in-law and seriously injured his wife and his step-daughter.
On Friday morning, September 20, just after 10:30am, dispatch received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence in the 7000-block of Rogue River Highway. The caller, later identified as the suspect’s wife, Kristie Hodges, 40, reported an assault with a firearm. Gunshots could be heard in the background of the call before it disconnected.
Deputies responded to the location along with personnel from the Rogue River Police Department, Rogue River Fire, and Mercy Flights. Deputies called for the suspect to exit. When nobody came outside, deputies entered and found the body of 64 year old Richard Carlton Rudolph, with apparent gunshot and stab wounds. Deputies learned the suspect had fled the home and may be armed with a shotgun. Deputies found Kristie Hodges in the home. She had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported by ambulance to Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. She was transferred to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield for further treatment. She is in stable condition.
Kristie Hodges’ 16-year-old daughter sustained extensive blunt and sharp force injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for surgery, and then flown to Oregon Health & Science University. She is reportedly in serious but stable condition.
“When the deputies went into the home, they believed an armed suspect was still inside,” said Sergeant Julie Denney. “They showed incredible courage and their action helped the survivors to get much-needed medical treatment as soon as possible.”
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office K9 and SWAT personnel responded to assist deputies in the search for David Hodges, who had fled prior to deputies’ arrival. At approximately 2:00am, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office K9 team found Hodges hiding under a tree across the highway. Hodges sustained minor injuries from a dog bite as he was taken into custody. Hodges was not armed, and nobody else was injured.
Hodges was treated at Providence Medford Medical Center before being lodged in the Jackson County jail. Charges at lodging include murder, attempted murder, first degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. The case will be reviewed by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for additional charges.
The Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) is continuing the investigation. The task force includes investigators from Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Oregon State Police, and Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (541) 770-8333.
