A welfare check in New Philadelphia turned into a close call for police when, according to prosecutors, a 28-year-old Stark County man allegedly got hold of an officer’s gun and fired a shot during a struggle behind an apartment complex near the city’s airport. No officers were seriously hurt, but the incident has now landed Dyllan Riter in front of a Tuscarawas County grand jury on attempted murder and other serious felony counts. He also faces separate aggravated-robbery and child-endangerment charges in Stark County and remains in jail while both cases move forward.
Grand jury returns indictment
The Tuscarawas County grand jury on Feb. 18 indicted Riter on attempted murder, felonious assault and grand theft of a firearm, according to Cleveland19. Prosecutors say the charges stem from evidence collected after the Jan. 14 encounter and the follow-up work of local investigators.
What police say happened
Officers were dispatched the morning of Jan. 14 to the 1800 block of East High Avenue for a welfare check. Body-worn camera video shows a short foot chase, then a struggle as officers tried to take a man into custody. During that tussle, the suspect allegedly pulled a detective’s handgun from its holster, fired a single round and was quickly subdued. The department’s description of the encounter and the footage itself were outlined by WJER. Police say the weapon was recovered at the scene and no officers suffered serious injuries.
Robberies linked to arrest
Investigators also link Riter to two armed robberies at Dollar General stores in southern Stark County. Deputies allege he used a knife during the holdups and left with several hundred dollars. In one of the incidents, two young children, about 10 months and 5 years old, were reportedly in the vehicle used to flee the scene, according to reporting by WHIO.
Court timeline
Riter waived a preliminary hearing on Jan. 21, sending the case to a Tuscarawas County grand jury. At that point he remained in the Tuscarawas County Jail on bond while jurors weighed possible charges tied to the New Philadelphia arrest. The indictment returned this week adds attempted murder and related counts connected to the seized firearm, and the case is set to proceed in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court, according to WJER.
Officials, video and next steps
City and county officials have released the bodycam footage, describing the move as part of a transparency push while investigators continue sorting through evidence and coordinating charges across county lines. The department and partner agencies say the rapid recovery of the handgun prevented anyone from being more seriously hurt. Prosecutors and detectives are expected to return to court as the case advances, according to Cleveland19.
