Stephen Thomas Rodda, a 37-year-old man from Lake Wales, Florida, was arrested on September 4, 2023, for the murder of his 16-year-old son.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas killed his son with an angle grinder, a power tool used for cutting and grinding.
The incident occurred on Labor Day, and Rodda reportedly fled the scene before being arrested about a mile away.
During a recorded interview, Thomas admitted to the murder, although, the motive behind the murder is not clear, and the investigation is ongoing.
Rodda has been charged with murder and is currently in custody.
Stephen Lee Roda death
Lee came into the limelight after he was killed by his father, Thomas, on September 4, 2023, in Lake Wales, Florida.
Thomas was arrested and charged with the murder of his son.
The cause of death was the use of an angle grinder, a power tool, which was used to kill the 16-year-old boy.
The incident was described as “inexplicable” and Stephen Thomas Rodda was called an “evil, evil man” by the local sheriff.
According to the affidavit, Thomas fled the scene and was arrested about a mile away.
During a recorded interview, he told authorities that his son had attacked him with a knife and that he had acted in self-defense.
However, the evidence collected at the scene did not support his claim.
The affidavit also revealed that Lee had defensive wounds on his hands and arms, indicating that he had tried to protect himself from the attack.
The incident has shocked the community and raised questions about the mental health of Thomas.
The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
The tragedy has also sparked a debate about the availability of power tools and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Public reaction
The public reaction to the tragic death of Lee has been one of shock and horror.
The incident has been widely reported in the media, and many people have expressed their condolences to the family of the victim.
Many people have expressed outrage at the senseless killing of a young boy by his own father.
The use of a power tool to commit the murder has been described as “barbaric” and “inhumane.”
At the same time, there has been an outpouring of sympathy for the family of Lee.
Many people have expressed their condolences and offered their support to the family during this difficult time.
There have been calls for justice for Stephen Lee Rodda, with many people demanding that his father be held accountable for his actions.
The fact that the perpetrator was the victim’s own father has made the incident even more shocking and disturbing.
The incident has also raised concerns about the mental health of the perpetrator.
Many people have called for greater awareness and support for mental health issues, particularly in cases where they may lead to violence.
The use of an angle grinder to commit the murder has sparked a debate about the need for stricter regulations on the sale and use of power tools.
Some people have called for greater restrictions on the sale of such tools, while others have argued that it is the responsibility of individuals to use them safely and responsibly.
