Kenneth Hodge, a 32-year-old African American man from Cincinnati, Ohio, tragically died on October 25, 2021. Kenneth was an apprentice plumber who had turned his life around after spending over 11 years in prison for an armed robbery committed in 2007. He had earned a GED, learned plumbing skills, and completed classes on victim awareness and anger management.
Kenneth was working towards getting a plumbing license and had become a featured speaker at a law enforcement conference at Yale University’s law school to share his story of redemption.
Kenneth's life took a tragic turn when he was fatally shot by his 33-year-old brother, Kurtis Hodge, in his apartment in Cheviot, Ohio. According to police documents, Kurtis shot Kenneth multiple times, including in the upper torso, both thighs, and back as Kenneth tried to run away. The incident occurred after an argument, and Kurtis was reportedly intoxicated at the time. Kurtis was later arrested and charged with murder.
The case drew significant attention due to Kenneth's remarkable transformation and the fact that some of his victims from the 2007 armed robbery had supported his early release from prison. Kenneth's father, Paul Hodge, expressed his grief and hoped that Kurtis would make amends and find peace.
The investigation revealed that Kurtis had faced drug and gun charges in recent years and was living with their mother in an apartment below Kenneth's. Despite Kenneth's efforts to calm his brother earlier that day, the situation escalated, leading to the tragic shooting.
Kenneth's death was a heartbreaking end to a story of redemption and personal growth, leaving his family, friends, and those who knew him deeply affected.
