On May 2, 2024, 63-year-old Roderick L. Fudge was found deceased in his Springfield, Ohio, apartment with two gunshot wounds to the chest. Responding to a call about an unresponsive individual, authorities discovered Fudge lying on his kitchen floor with blood on his clothing and the surrounding area.
At the scene, 67-year-old James Earl Tompkins approached officers, stating he had been with Fudge earlier and possessed a concealed carry permit along with a pistol.
Noticing blood on Tompkins' clothing, police detained him for questioning. Surveillance footage showed Tompkins entering Fudge's apartment at 7:16 p.m. wearing a bucket hat and leaving at 8:28 p.m. without it. A bucket hat was later found beneath Fudge's body, along with two .380 caliber shell casings. Tompkins was found carrying a Ruger .380 pistol.
Subsequently, Tompkins was charged with murder and felonious assault, with all charges including firearm specifications. He was indicted and held at the Clark County Jail. As of the latest reports, court dates had not been set, and the investigation was ongoing.
