LOUISVILLE, KY – A Louisville teenager is facing a series of felony charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in the city’s Pleasure Ridge Park area last month, authorities announced this week.

Daontez Hodges Jr., 19, was booked into custody after surrendering himself Tuesday at a local probation and parole office, according to city police. He stands accused of participating in the murder of Milton Ritchie, as well as robbery, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and unlawfully engaging with a minor.

Investigators allege the crime was carefully orchestrated. Ritchie was reportedly lured to a location on Fordhaven Road by a 15-year-old girl, who is now also charged in the case. When Ritchie arrived at the scene on December 20, he was ambushed and shot twice, suffering gunshot wounds to his lower back and neck. Responding paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but Ritchie was declared dead at the scene near his car, which had careened into a ditch.

Court documents indicate that the 15-year-old suspect, whose identity has not been released due to her age, was the primary contact for the meeting with Ritchie. Police say that shortly after he arrived, Hodges fired the fatal shots with a rifle. Several other individuals may have been involved in the ambush but have not been named in publicly released documents.

Authorities believe the killing may have been motivated by retaliation and robbery, with plans to steal Ritchie’s vehicle forming part of the attack. Reports suggest that the group executed the attack as part of a broader scheme.

In addition to the murder charge, Hodges is accused of committing a violent robbery at a Louisville liquor store just weeks later, on January 1. He allegedly walked out with two bottles of alcohol and, when a store clerk followed him outside, struck the clerk over the head with a bottle. The victim reportedly sustained serious injuries that required surgical treatment.

The 15-year-old girl tied to Ritchie’s murder was taken into custody last month. She now faces charges of complicity to murder and complicity to robbery, but her court proceedings will remain confidential due to her age.

Hodges is being held at the Louisville Metro Corrections Center on a $150,000 cash bond as he awaits his arraignment, which is scheduled for January 22. Officials have not indicated whether additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

Family members of Milton Ritchie say he had stopped by the grocery store and visited his father in the hospital shortly before his death. Ritchie’s family expressed their appreciation for the efforts of investigators and asked the community for continued prayers as they seek justice in the ongoing case.

Police have not released further details about the roles of other potential suspects or the exact motive behind the killing. The investigation remains active.