A quiet last night in the village of Rittman turned into a deadly scene when a disturbance call erupted into gunfire, leaving a Rittman police officer and three other people dead, authorities said. Two other officers were wounded, and a Wayne County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was also injured. State agents with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation have taken over the probe.
Sheriff Tom Ballinger told reporters that 911 calls started coming into the dispatch center around 9:30 p.m. yesterday, with callers reporting a disturbance and shots fired. When officers arrived, they “immediately started taking fire,” he said, as reported by Cleveland.com.
“At this point in time, we have lost an officer in the line of duty,” Ballinger told the media. He said two other officers were injured, two additional victims were found dead inside the home, and the suspect was also dead at the scene. Those details were reported by Cleveland.com.
What Investigators Say
Steve Irwin, spokesperson for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, confirmed that BCI agents were called in to assist with the case, according to Jordan Miller News. The Medina County prosecutor’s office also confirmed that an officer was injured, and officials have not released any names or a possible motive.
On The Ground In Rittman
Local outlets described a heavy law-enforcement presence surrounding a home as tactical teams searched the area. A News 5 crew reported drones and a helicopter overhead, as covered by Hindustan Times. The Ohio State Highway Patrol urged people to steer clear of the area near Rittman High School while the scene remained active.
What Comes Next
BCI agents are expected to process evidence and interview witnesses as the state-led investigation moves forward. Local reporting notes that the coroner’s findings and next-of-kin notifications will come before any public release of identities. No charges have been announced, and investigators have asked for patience while they work to piece together what happened, per Jordan Miller News.
