Final Suspect Identified in Officer-Involved Shooting That Preceded Deputy’s Death
CINCINNATI, OH — The fourth and final suspect connected to the officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of 18-year-old Ryan Hinton has now been identified, marking a significant development in a tragic and complex series of events that has gripped the Cincinnati area.
Authorities have confirmed the identity of the individual, who is believed to have been involved in the events that led to the fatal police shooting of Ryan Hinton during a chase involving a stolen vehicle. The incident occurred just one day before Ryan’s father, Rodney Hinton Jr., was arrested for allegedly driving into and killing a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy in what investigators believe may have been a retaliatory act.
The Shooting of Ryan Hinton
On the day of the shooting, Ryan Hinton and three other individuals were allegedly inside a stolen car that caught the attention of Cincinnati police officers. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle came to a stop and the suspects scattered. Ryan, then 18, fled on foot through an alleyway near two dumpsters.
Body-worn camera footage captured part of the foot chase. During the pursuit, an officer yelled “gun!” and fired multiple rounds. Ryan was struck and later pronounced dead at the scene. A firearm was recovered nearby, but the video does not conclusively show Ryan pointing or firing the weapon. No shots were fired by Ryan, according to initial reports.
The other three suspects were apprehended shortly after the incident and have been in custody as police continued their investigation. The fourth and final individual remained unidentified—until now.
Identification of the Final Suspect
Police have now confirmed the identity of the fourth suspect, a 17-year-old male whose name is being withheld due to his age. According to investigators, he fled the scene in the moments following the officer-involved shooting but was located and taken into custody late this week without incident. He is currently being held at the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center.
Authorities have not detailed what specific charges he may face but confirmed that he, like the others, is being investigated in connection with the original stolen vehicle report and the events that led to the confrontation with police.
A Series of Devastating Events
The officer-involved shooting of Ryan Hinton became even more tragic when, the following day, his father, 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr., allegedly drove his vehicle into a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy, killing him. The deputy was working in uniform when the collision occurred. Law enforcement officials quickly arrested Rodney and charged him with aggravated murder.
While police have not publicly declared a motive, the timeline and connection between the two incidents have raised questions about whether Rodney acted out of grief or anger following his son’s death.
Community Response and Investigation
Both incidents have shocked the Cincinnati community and sparked calls for transparency and accountability. Civil rights advocates are closely watching the investigation into Ryan Hinton’s shooting, particularly given the questions surrounding whether he posed an imminent threat at the time he was shot.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is leading the independent probe into the officer-involved shooting. The officer who fired the fatal shots remains on administrative leave.
Meanwhile, support is pouring in for the family of the fallen deputy, who has not yet been publicly named. Law enforcement officials and community members have gathered to mourn the loss and pay tribute to his service.
Looking Ahead
As all four suspects in the stolen vehicle case are now in custody, police say they are working to complete their investigation and submit findings to the prosecutor’s office. It remains unclear whether any additional charges will be filed against the juveniles in connection with Ryan’s death.
The intertwining tragedies of this case—an 18-year-old killed by police, and his father accused of killing a deputy—have ignited urgent conversations around policing, grief, justice, and violence.
Both the Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office continue to ask the public for patience as the investigations unfold. Anyone with information about the original car theft, the officer-involved shooting, or the deputy’s death is urged to contact local authorities.
This remains an ongoing and evolving case. Further details will be released as investigations progress.