Tuesday, July 8, 2025
#1 News Source in Sebastian, Florida
SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWSLETTER
Sebastian Daily
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
Sebastian Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home Crime News and Arrests in Sebastian, Florida

Sebastian Man Charged With First Degree Murder in John Robert Spencer Case

Andy Hodges by Andy Hodges
May 12, 2022 / 5:15 PM
A A
Scott Hodges and John Robert Spencer

Scott Hodges and John Robert Spencer

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, Scott Hodges, 44, of Sebastian, was indicted and charged with First Degree Murder with a Firearm in the death of John Robert Spencer.

Spencer’s family has reached out to Sebastian Daily, asking to keep the public informed about the case since so many people knew him well. 

Hodges, a real estate agent in Sebastian and Vero Beach, was initially charged with First Degree Murder and Second Degree Murder on Nov. 23, 2021. 

While Hodges was charged by the prosecutor last year, an indictment means the grand jury filed charges against him on May 11, 2022.

The case began last year when a relative of Spencer contacted the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office after he went missing. The relative then discovered Spencer’s vehicle parked outside of Hodges’ home. 

When investigators spoke with Hodges, he said, “John is not okay and is not coming back,” the affidavit said.

On two occasions, Hodges told investigators, “it’s not good,” when referring to what happened with Spencer. Hodges then changed his story multiple times and added that he and Spencer are both drug users.

During a search warrant, investigators found a stolen black Glock .40 caliber handgun located inside Hodges’ residence. 

On Nov. 24, 2021, Hodges was arrested on murder charges after he said he shot and killed Spencer.

“He thought he was acting weird and was possibly armed. Hodges advised that he and Spencer left to do drugs and that they stopped at Spencer’s residence. Hodges advised Spencer was acting weird, and he has seen messages on his phone that talk about murder and suicide,” the investigator said. Hodges said Spencer allegedly armed himself with a handgun, and that’s when he brought his firearm with him for his safety.

The two then left Spencer’s house and ended up in the 8400 Block of 90th Avenue. Hodges said the two were arguing in his truck, and he pulled over.

As the argument continued, he and Spencer walked east into a wooded area. According to the affidavit, Hodges advised that he drew his gun and shot Spencer, then fired three more rounds into Spencer to “keep him from suffering.”

“I believe this killing was done in a premeditated manner based on Hodges stating it was him or me and firing the gun and striking Spencer and then firing the gun three additional times while Spencer was on the ground. Hodges made no attempt to render aid or call for help, and these actions resulted in the death of John Spencer,” the investigator wrote in the affidavit.

Hodges remains at the Indian River County Jail without bond. 

FEATURED EVENTS

To add your event, call 772-925-5221.
Jul 8
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Rusty Wilmot at Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

Jul 8
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Trivia at Capt Hirams Resort (Ramp Lounge)

Jul 8
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

DJ Big B at Tiki Bar & Grill

Jul 9
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Master Gardeners at North IRC Library (Conference Room)

Jul 9
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Book-a-Tech at North IRC Library

View Calendar
Previous Post

Railroad Crossing Closures for Barber Street in Sebastian

Next Post

Sebastian Breweries Celebrate American Craft Beer Week with Daily Specials

Next Post
Arlo and Marti Guthrie

Sebastian Breweries Celebrate American Craft Beer Week with Daily Specials

HOMETOWN NEWS

Vermont Man, 77, Killed on I-95 Near Sebastian While Helping Turtle

Sebastian’s Dining Specials for July 7th – 13th

Publix Unveils Limited-Edition Sweet Heat Summer Menu

Celebrating a Century: Ellie Wade’s Remarkable Life of Service and Adventure

Sebastian Secures Planning & Design Grant for Fisherman’s Landing

DeSantis Vetoes $6.8 Million for Indian River Lagoon Cleanup and Environmental Projects in Brevard County

INFORMATION

  • About Us
  • Advertise Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Signup for Newsletter

CONTACT

Main Number:  772-925-5221.

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover Sebastian
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing Report
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.