CINCINNATI, Ohio — A tragic sequence of events unfolded over the weekend when a man struck and killed a Hamilton County deputy with his vehicle, just a day after the same man’s son was fatally shot by a police officer. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which appears to be intentional.
Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, faces charges of aggravated murder in the death of the deputy, who was struck while directing traffic outside the University of Cincinnati. Eyewitnesses suggest that Hinton drove directly at the officer, leading investigators to describe the act as premeditated. Hinton made his first court appearance on Saturday, flanked by deputies. During the hearing, the prosecution indicated that multiple witnesses would support their assertion that the crash was deliberate. A judge has ordered Hinton to remain in custody until a subsequent hearing on Tuesday.
An attorney representing Hinton stated that his client has no prior felony convictions and acknowledges the severity of the charges against him. As this story unfolded, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine expressed his dismay, calling the act “an intentional act of violence.”
Hours before the crash, Hinton and family members were at the police chief’s office, where they viewed body camera footage from a recent incident that led to the death of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton. According to Michael Wright, an attorney for the Hinton family, Rodney was visibly shaken while watching the footage and could not endure the entire video. “He was distraught, he was upset,” Wright recounted, emphasizing the family’s anguish.
The family of Ryan Hinton has released a statement offering condolences to the deputy’s family and colleagues. It labeled the situation as “an unimaginable tragedy” for the community, expressing sorrow for both the officer’s and the Hinton family’s losses.
The deputy, whose name has not been disclosed, had recently retired but was working off-duty assignments when he was struck. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described him as well-liked and esteemed, highlighting the profound impact of his death on the community. “What a tremendous loss we have all suffered,” McGuffey said.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the crash while the prosecutor, Connie Pillich, vowed to pursue the case with full legal force if evidence confirms intentional wrongdoing.
Ryan Hinton’s death Thursday occurred during a police chase, where officers claimed he brandished a firearm. Investigators report that photos from the scene revealed a semiautomatic handgun in his possession, as well as another weapon found in his vehicle. Body camera footage released featured an officer calling out “he’s got a gun” prior to shots being fired as Ryan ran behind an apartment complex.
Cincinnati’s police chief has stated there was no indication that Ryan Hinton fired his weapon at officers before being shot. The ongoing investigations aim to clarify the unfolding events, with the community grappling with the emotional toll of these recent tragedies.