A father with a long criminal record and drug abuse record has been arrested for allegedly killing his 16-year-old son with a power tool in what Florida police called an “unexplained” incident.
Stephen Thomas Rodda, 37, was arrested Monday after allegedly killing his teenage son, Stephen Lee Rodda, inside a mobile home in Lake Wales, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference. .
The teenager, who had hopes of one day becoming an electrician, was living with his grandfather, Thomas Rodda, 67, to help him around the house while his grandmother was in rehab.
The grandfather returned home on Monday morning and found his son Stephen outside, where he allegedly told him: “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you. I killed someone. You may have to call the police.”
The grandfather told investigators it was not uncommon for the suspect, who had used methamphetamine since high school, to have psychotic episodes and make “bizarre” comments.
Stephen Thomas Rodda was arrested by Florida police on Monday. Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
When Thomas Rodda entered the home, he found his grandson dead in the dining room, Judd said.
Judd said a preliminary investigator revealed the suspect used a “heavy duty saw” known as an angle grinder to kill his son.
“It breaks our hearts. “There are no adequate words to explain how horrible this event is,” Judd said Monday.
Stephen Lee Rodda was going to start working at Burger King next week in hopes of earning enough money to buy his own car. Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
“That this useless individual murdered his son is inexplicable,” he added.
The father was quickly captured by police fleeing on Highway 60. He was detained.
The suspect has an extensive criminal history, including an outstanding warrant in South Carolina, Judd said.
Stephen Lee Rodda (center) and his siblings, Matthew, Logan, and Elizabeth. Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
“This guy has been nothing but a problem for society for a long time,” Judd said. “And now, he has turned a troubled person into an evil person when he murdered his child and created a series of horrible circumstances for a loving family.”
Young Stephen Rodda was a junior at Frostproof High School, where he was taking classes to be an electrician.
He was also due to start working at Burger King next week in hopes of saving enough money to buy a car, his family told police.
Police said the motive for the alleged murder is still under investigation. Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
“He was just a stellar, brave young man,” Judd said. “Our prayers are with the family and I want them to know that the world lost a great young man today.”
The motive for the killing is still under investigation, the sheriff said.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn