Man kills sheriff’s deputy 24 hours after police fatally shot his 18-year-old son, authorities say
A father has reportedly killed a sheriff’s deputy — the day after his 18-year-old son was fatally shot by a police officer.
The tragic series of events started on Thursday (May 1), when 18-year-old Ryan Hinton was shot and killed by Cincinnati police while fleeing from a stolen vehicle.
Just one day later, his father, 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr., was accused of fatally striking a sheriff’s deputy with his car — a move that prosecutors are calling calculated and intentional, per WCPO.
At a Saturday arraignment, prosecuting attorney Ryan Nelson didn’t mince words. “The driver 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,” he said.
“It appeared from everybody who was on the scene that he deliberately struck the deputy in an attempt to kill him.”
The charges are severe. Prosecutors are pushing for an indictment for aggravated murder. Hinton Jr. is currently being held without bond until a hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
The deputy – who hasn’t been publicly named due to Ohio’s law protecting crime victims’ rights – had recently retired but continued serving as a special deputy.
He was directing traffic near the University of Cincinnati — where graduation festivities were underway — when the incident occurred around 1:00PM on Friday.
“The officer was just out doing his job … for what was supposed to be a glorious day for many,” said Police Chief Teresa Theetge.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine weighed in with a statement condemning the violence: “I have been briefed on the ongoing investigation and am sickened by what appears to be an intentional act of violence. We offer our sincere condolences to the deputy’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described the deputy as more than just a colleague.
“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,” she said. “What a tremendous loss we have all suffered.”
Per WLWT, a solemn procession was held Friday night in his honor, with McGuffey declaring: “He will not be alone. There will be someone with him until the day that he transitions to higher ground.”
Just a day before the deputy’s death, Hinton Jr.’s son, Ryan, had been fatally shot by police. The Cincinnati Police Department released body cam footage showing the moments leading up to the shooting.
According to Theetge, officers had found four suspects in a stolen vehicle in East Price Hill.
When they fled, one — later identified as Ryan Hinton — was seen holding a handgun. The footage shows an officer yelling: “He’s got a gun! He’s got a gun! On your right! On your right!” before the fatal shots were fired.
“When the individual came out between the dumpsters, he had the firearm in front of him. It was in like a bladed position, and it was pointed at the officer, and he (the officer) felt threatened for his life and that’s why he discharged his firearm,” said Theetge.
She added that the officer likely fired four or five shots, hitting Hinton twice.
However, the body cam doesn’t clearly show the gun being pointed.
“It’s a very blurred image, unfortunately,” said Theetge, noting the footage was shaky because the officer was running.
Police recovered a handgun with an extended clip at the scene — but it had not been fired.
Michael Wright, the attorney representing the Hinton family, said Ryan had just turned 18. “The circumstances surrounding his interaction with the police there, you know, they [the family] are surprised that occurred,” he said.
The family watched the body cam footage between 10:00AM and 11:00AM Friday, and Wright said Hinton Jr. was “very distraught,” per the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“At this point, we are still investigating the circumstances of Ryan being shot and killed by the Cincinnati Police Department,” Wright said. “The family’s pretty upset, pretty distraught about what happened to their son.”
He added that he has met with the police chief and filed a public records request seeking more information.
Rodney Hinton Jr. made his first court appearance in front of a Hamilton County courtroom filled with law enforcement officers.
His public defender, Tom Ewing, acknowledged the highly charged atmosphere: “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,” he said, requesting a “reasonable bond.”
It was denied.