A fatal shooting by police during a domestic incident in Euclid late Sunday night has ended in the death of a man identified as 37-year-old Robert J. Riddlebarger, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office. Cleveland19 reports that the situation escalated when Riddlebarger allegedly confronted police with a loaded rifle, prompting an officer to discharge their weapon.
The incident began around 10:20 p.m. on East 219th Street after a woman called for help stating she had been injured and her 3-year-old child was inside with the armed suspect, Euclid Police Captain Donna Holden added, the officers discovered the woman with visible injuries upon arrival and they entered the residence, finding Riddlebarger armed with a rifle, refusing commands to exit the home he was shot after supposedly threatening the officers FOX8 detailed from an interview with Captain Holden. No officers were harmed during the confrontation.
Following department policy, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave, while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) conducts an independent investigation into the occurrence. This was confirmed in a Cleveland.com report. BCI spokesperson Steve Irwin directed all inquiries back to the Euclid Police Department.
In the aftermath of the tragic event, Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail issued a statement addressing the critical issue of domestic violence and its devastating impact on communities, asserting that, "This preventable tragedy illustrates the urgent need to address the rising issue of domestic violence, both locally and nationally" and the Mayor encouraged those facing domestic violence to reach for support reminding them that "you are not alone" according to a statement found on Cleveland19. She recognized the emotional toll such events take on first responders and committed to supporting their mental health through municipal services.
