Tragedy Strikes Twice: Father Arrested for Killing Deputy Day After Son Fatally Shot by Police
CINCINNATI, OH — In a series of heartbreaking and deeply disturbing events, a Cincinnati family has found itself at the center of two fatal law enforcement incidents that have shocked the local community and drawn attention from across the country.
On Friday, 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr. was arrested and charged with aggravated murder after allegedly driving into and killing a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, was fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer during a police pursuit involving a reported stolen vehicle.
The First Tragedy: Ryan Hinton Fatally Shot by Police
On Thursday, officers from the Cincinnati Police Department were engaged in a pursuit of a stolen vehicle when Ryan Hinton, one of the occupants, allegedly fled the car on foot. According to police statements, Ryan jumped out of the vehicle and began running through an alley. Officers gave chase.
During the pursuit, an officer shouted “gun!” and fired multiple shots. Ryan was struck and later pronounced dead at the scene. A firearm was reportedly recovered nearby, though body-worn camera footage released by the department shows only part of the encounter and does not clearly confirm that Ryan pointed or fired a weapon.
In the video, Ryan appears to be running between two dumpsters when the officer shouts, and gunfire immediately follows. Police say the gun was recovered near where Ryan fell, but as of now, no evidence has been publicly presented proving Ryan discharged the weapon.
The shooting has ignited renewed conversations in Cincinnati and beyond about the use of force, especially in cases involving young Black men. Ryan Hinton’s family and community advocates have called for a thorough, transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Second Tragedy: Rodney Hinton Jr. Accused of Killing Sheriff’s Deputy
Just a day after the fatal shooting of his son, Rodney Hinton Jr. was arrested for allegedly targeting law enforcement in a deadly act of retaliation. According to law enforcement sources, Hinton struck a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy with his vehicle in what authorities believe was an intentional act. The deputy was killed instantly at the scene.
Rodney Hinton was immediately taken into custody and has since been charged with aggravated murder, a charge that carries the potential for life imprisonment or the death penalty under Ohio law. Authorities have not released the name of the deputy, pending family notification.
Law enforcement agencies have described the incident as a devastating escalation of grief and violence, and one that will have long-lasting repercussions for two families and the greater Cincinnati community.
A City in Shock
The back-to-back tragedies have sent shockwaves throughout Cincinnati, leaving residents grappling with the pain, complexity, and consequences of these events.
Community leaders and civil rights organizations have expressed both sorrow and outrage — mourning the death of an 18-year-old whose life ended before it fully began, while also condemning any acts of retaliatory violence against police.
“This is a tragedy layered upon tragedy,” said one local pastor. “We have lost two lives in two days. We are grieving as a city — for Ryan, for the deputy, for both families, and for what these events say about the state of our justice system and our society.”
Ongoing Investigations
Both incidents remain under active investigation. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has been called in to review the police shooting of Ryan Hinton. The officer who fired the shots has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Rodney Hinton is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center and is expected to appear in court early next week. Prosecutors say they will pursue the full extent of the law.
A Painful Reflection
As the community seeks healing, many are also asking difficult questions about policing, mental health, accountability, and the ripple effects of trauma and violence.
For now, two families — once whole — are forever changed. One father has lost his son and now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars. One law enforcement family is mourning a colleague who died in the line of duty.
What remains is sorrow, outrage, and a city desperate for answers and peace.
The Cincinnati Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office are urging anyone with additional information about either case to come forward. Support services are being made available for all affected individuals.
This is a developing story.