A Kentucky teenager is accused of killing a 20-year-old man last month after allegedly luring him into an ambush and shooting him multiple times.
Daontez Hodges Jr., 19, is charged with complicity to murder, complicity to robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and unlawful transaction with a minor in connection with the killing of Milton Ritchie, authorities said.
Louisville Metro Police Department officials stated in a news release that Hodges turned himself in Tuesday at a Kentucky Probation and Parole office.
Police previously arrested a 15-year-old girl accused of leading the victim to the location where he was killed. She faces charges of complicity to murder and complicity to robbery. Her identity has not been released because she is a minor.
Court documents obtained by local media outlined the events leading up to the shooting. Investigators said officers responded to reports of a shooting on the afternoon of Dec. 20 in the 3000 block of Fordhaven Road, near St. Anthony Church Road in Louisville’s Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhood.
When first responders arrived, they found Ritchie suffering from two gunshot wounds, one to his lower back and another to his neck. Despite lifesaving efforts by paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said his body was found near his vehicle, which had crashed into a ditch.
According to investigators, Ritchie was led to the location by the 15-year-old girl, whom he believed he was meeting there. When he arrived, police said he encountered the girl, Hodges, and several other individuals.
Investigators believe Hodges shot Ritchie twice with a rifle shortly after he arrived.
Court records indicate the shooting was part of a planned act of revenge that also involved stealing Ritchie’s vehicle.
Hodges is also facing separate charges related to an alleged robbery at a liquor store on Jan. 1. Authorities claim he stole two bottles of liquor and then struck a store clerk with one of the bottles after the clerk followed him outside. Police said the clerk suffered serious injuries that required surgery.
Hodges is being held at the Louisville Metro Corrections Center on a $150,000 cash-only bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Jan. 22.
Ritchie’s family told local media that the 20-year-old had gone grocery shopping and visited his father in the hospital shortly before his death.
“We are grateful for the progress in our son’s case. We are trusting the process and thankful for the work being done,” Ritchie’s parents said in a statement. “Please continue to pray for us as we seek justice for Milton.”
Leave a Comment