The city of Cincinnati is seeking answers following two high-profile killings that occurred on consecutive days – killings that officials believe are connected.
On Thursday, city police fatally shot an armed 18-year-old as he fled from them. The following day, a long-serving sheriff’s deputy was struck and killed by a car that authorities allege was driven by the young man’s grieving father.
The father, 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr., has been charged with aggravated murder. However, neither the police nor an attorney representing his family have disclosed any motive behind his alleged targeting of the deputy.
Questions also persist regarding the police shooting death of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton. The Cincinnati Police Department states that he appeared to point a gun at an officer while running away on Thursday, but the officer’s body camera footage does not clearly capture this moment.
Amid the ongoing investigations into both deaths, law enforcement officers lined up on Friday night to hold a procession honoring the fallen sheriff’s deputy – whose identity has not been released in accordance with an Ohio law protecting the privacy of crime victims.
Here’s what is currently known about the killings of the teenager by police and the deputy allegedly by his father.
‘A horrific tragedy on both sides’
The family of Ryan Hinton is demanding answers concerning his death, which occurred just weeks after his 18th birthday, according to their attorney, Michael Wright.
Wright described the teen as a “fun, loving and good kid” and stated that the family was “surprised” to learn about the circumstances surrounding his encounter with the police.
The family reviewed police body camera footage on Friday morning, hours before Hinton’s father allegedly struck and killed the sheriff’s deputy. Wright told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the father was “very distraught” after viewing the footage.
According to the Enquirer, Wright said of Hinton’s father, “He couldn’t finish watching the video.”
Wright informed CNN that he has filed a public records request for more details.
“At this point, we are still investigating the circumstances of Ryan being shot and killed by the Cincinnati Police Department,” Wright said, adding that he has met with the city’s police chief. “The family’s pretty upset, pretty distraught about what happened to their son.”
“This is a horrific tragedy on both sides,” he added. “This family lost their son, and this police officer lost his life.”
Rodney Hinton Jr. was arraigned on Saturday. Prosecutors stated that he “in a way that was calculated and premeditated lined up his car, deliberately accelerated his car and purposely caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff.” The courtroom was filled with law enforcement officers during the arraignment.
Hinton Jr.’s public defender requested a “reasonable bond,” while acknowledging, “I understand that there’s a lot of sadness and a lot of anger in this room right now and in the community at large.”
Hinton Jr. has been charged with aggravated murder and is being held without bond pending a hearing on Tuesday.
‘Very blurred’ police body cam
A day earlier, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge held a news conference to release details and officer body camera footage from the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton.
The chief emphasized that only “six quick seconds” elapsed from the moment Hinton and three others attempted to flee arrest to when the deadly shots were fired.
Officers located the four men in a stolen vehicle in a parking lot in Cincinnati’s East Price Hill neighborhood, Theetge said, and observed Hinton appearing to hold a handgun as he ran away.
Body camera footage shows an officer shouting, “He’s got a gun! He’s got a gun! On your right! On your right!” Moments later, the footage shows the teen emerging from between two dumpsters, and another officer fires multiple shots.
That officer, a 10-year veteran assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Squad, is believed to have fired four to five shots, two of which struck the boy, Theetge said.
Officers attempted “to save this gentleman’s life” by administering “different variations of medical aid” until paramedics arrived, the chief stated.
According to the chief, the officer who shot Hinton said afterward that it looked like the young man’s gun was pointed at him: “He (the officer) felt threatened for his life and that’s why he discharged his firearm.”
However, the officer’s body camera footage does not clearly show the teen pointing the gun. Theetge acknowledged that the footage is a “very blurred image” due to the camera’s “jolting” movement during the pursuit.
Police later recovered a handgun with an extended clip that they say Hinton had been carrying. The gun had not been fired, the chief said.
Friday night procession for fallen deputy
CNN affiliate WLWT reported that a procession was held on Friday night to honor the sheriff’s deputy who died after being struck by the car earlier that day.
Officials said that the deputy had recently retired but continued to serve as a special deputy. He was remembered as a beloved figure in the community who dedicated decades to public service.
“He was so well-liked and so well-known, we could fill this building with the law enforcement agencies that respect him, love him, his friends, his family,” Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said. “What a tremendous loss we have all suffered.”
According to the Cincinnati police chief, the deputy was hit by the car while directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati during a commencement event.
“The officer was just out doing his job … for what was supposed to be a glorious day for many,” Theetge said.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned the incident as “an intentional act of violence” and offered condolences to the deputy’s family and colleagues.
Images from WLWT showed law enforcement vehicles lined up outside the coroner’s office before the procession.
“He will not be alone,” the sheriff pledged earlier on Friday. “There will be someone with him until the day that he transitions to higher ground.”
As the city mourns, Chief Theetge urged residents to remain patient as investigations into both Thursday’s and Friday’s killings continue.
“Let the processes play out. Let the investigations play out. Keep calm, take care of one another, and I can assure you… I will ensure you transparency and a thorough and accurate investigation,” the chief said.
