In the quiet community of Selma, Oregon, the life of 63-year-old Caucasian male, Kenneth W. Ward, came to a tragic and violent end on Sunday, March 6, 2022. On that afternoon, a report of a shooting at a residence on Lakeshore Drive prompted a response from both the Josephine County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police. Upon their arrival, law enforcement officers discovered a grim scene.
Two men were found deceased on the property.
One was identified as Kenneth Ward, and the other as David Wonderling. One of the men was located on the ground next to the driveway, while the other was inside a vehicle parked nearby. The cause of their deaths was determined to be gun violence.
As deputies and troopers were attempting to provide aid and secure the area, they were confronted by a man named Thomas Rockholt, who resided at the location. Rockholt was armed with a holstered gun, leading to a tense standoff with law enforcement that lasted for nearly an hour as officers engaged in negotiations with him.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Josephine County Chief Deputy District Attorney stated that the investigation suggested that Kenneth Ward and David Wonderling had apparently shot and killed each other. This finding brought a complex and sorrowful clarity to the events of that day, leaving a lasting impact on the small rural community.
