What began as a bizarre confrontation over peacocks in a Portland neighborhood escalated into gunfire and ended in a prison sentence for a 25-year-old man.
Men menacing Portland neighborhood peacocks spur confrontation
A Multnomah County judge sentenced Dylan Levi Rhoads to seven and a half years in prison after he admitted guilt in an attempted second-degree murder case stemming from a September 2023 shooting.
According to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, the incident unfolded early on the morning of September 29, 2023.
The victim, who was on his way to work, spotted two guys bothering a group of peacocks near his home. He approached the pair, one of whom was Rhoads, and asked them to stop.
Prosecutors say the men responded menacingly, hurling taunts such as, “bock, bock, bock you next,” and “We can bang right now.”
The neighborhood, located in southeast Portland, has become somewhat famous for its population of free-roaming peacocks.
These birds can often be found strutting through yards, lounging on vehicles, and generally making themselves part of the local landscape.
“Neighborhood lore is some years ago someone had some peacocks, said they kept hassling him, he said ‘fine’ and let them all loose,” one area resident told KGW.
“No one actually takes care of them, we all sort of look after them a bit.”
Victim shot at in Portland neighborhood
After the heated exchange, the man returned inside his home and waited until it appeared that the two men had left the area. Once they seemed to be gone, he got into his vehicle and began driving. But according to officials, Rhoads and his associate had not gone far. Instead, they had parked nearby and were lying in wait.
As the victim drove through a nearby intersection, Rhoads opened fire from the driver’s seat, discharging five rounds at the car.
Prosecutors said multiple bullets struck the vehicle, and the victim himself was grazed. One round was stopped by the car’s reinforced driver’s seat, which helped prevent more serious harm.
Investigators were able to identify Rhoads’ vehicle using Ring surveillance footage collected in the area. A few days later, law enforcement located the car and apprehended the suspect.
In addition to pleading guilty to attempted murder, Rhoads also admitted to unlawful use of a weapon. Prosecutors added that the case resolved a total of eight separate charges pending against him.
“This defendant had a clear pattern of escalating, dangerous, criminal behavior. And yet he was repeatedly released after being arrested for his earlier crimes,” said Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer. “I believe the system failed here — failed both the victims and the defendant.”
Amish woman and goat found dead in her home
In a separate incident, authorities in Ohio have taken a man into custody nearly a month after a young Amish woman was found dead inside her rural home alongside her goat.
Samuel Hochstetler was arrested and formally charged with one count of murder in the death of 28-year-old Rosanna Kinsinger, who was part of the same Amish community in Meigs County.
According to the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call about a possible suspicious death on March 13, 2025.
When they arrived at the scene, officers discovered Kinsinger’s body and began a preliminary investigation.
The local coroner deemed the circumstances surrounding her death to be questionable and arranged for an autopsy through the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. However, officials later stated that the autopsy results were inconclusive.
After an interview with detectives Hochstetler was taken into custody and charged with murder.
He reportedly confessed to putting a blanket over Kinsinger’s head while they were having sex and discovering she had died after he finished.
“This case was such a tragedy to those who knew Rosanna. She was a beloved individual in her community,” said Sheriff Scott Fitch in a statement released after the arrest.
“Detectives have worked around the clock searching for answers and were able to get those answers. Hopefully this investigation helps bring some closure to the victim’s family and on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office we offer our deepest condolences.”
Local media reported that Hochstetler had relocated from Kentucky and was staying in the area with a man named Mose Troyer in the weeks before and after Kinsinger’s death.
According to Troyer, concern began mounting on the day of the incident when Kinsinger was not seen in the community. That evening, he decided to check on her at home.
When he entered the premesis, he found her body and contacted emergency services. Reports noted that her goat was still inside the house at the time.
Troyer told the station that he was shaken not only by the woman’s death but also by the realization that the person allegedly responsible had been living in his home during the aftermath.
