Roderick L. Fudge, 63, was found dead in his Springfield, Ohio, apartment on May 2, 2024, with two gunshot wounds to the chest. Responding officers located him on the kitchen floor with blood on his clothing and the surrounding area; a bucket hat was recovered beneath his body and two .380 caliber shell casings were found at the scene.

Surveillance footage shows 67-year-old James Earl Tompkins entering Fudge’s apartment at 7:16 p.m. wearing a bucket hat and leaving at 8:28 p.m. without it. Officers say Tompkins approached them at the scene, acknowledged he had been with Fudge earlier, and was carrying a concealed pistol; he was detained after blood was noted on his clothing and a Ruger .380 pistol was found on him.

Tompkins was charged with murder and felonious assault, both with firearm specifications, and was indicted and held in the Clark County Jail while the investigation continued and court dates remained pending. If anyone knew Fudge or saw activity at his apartment that evening, please share what you know.