Tragedy and Turmoil: Ohio Man Arrested for Killing Deputy a Day After Son Was Fatally Shot by Police

Hamilton County, OH — May 4, 2025

A heartbreaking and violent chain of events has rocked the Cincinnati area after a man—Rodney Hinton Jr., 38—was arrested and charged with aggravated murder for allegedly intentionally striking and killing a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy with his vehicle on Thursday. The arrest came just one day after his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, was fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer during a foot chase involving a stolen car.

The back-to-back incidents have stunned the community, raising difficult questions about justice, grief, and the volatility of emotionally charged responses to tragedy.

The First Incident: Ryan Hinton’s Fatal Shooting

On Wednesday, Cincinnati police were involved in a chase involving a reported stolen vehicle. According to police, Ryan Hinton, 18, exited the car and began to flee on foot. As officers pursued him, they claimed Ryan dropped a firearm while running, though body-worn camera footage reportedly fails to clearly show the gun being dropped.

The incident unfolded near two dumpsters, where one officer can be heard in the footage yelling “Gun!” almost simultaneously with the sound of multiple gunshots. Ryan Hinton was struck and died shortly afterward.

After the shooting, officers recovered a firearm near the scene, but officials confirmed that there was no evidence that Ryan ever fired the weapon. The body camera footage is now under review by independent investigators and civil rights attorneys.

The fatal encounter has already begun to draw public scrutiny, especially among community leaders concerned about the use of deadly force in rapidly evolving police encounters involving young Black males. The Cincinnati Police Department said the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

The Second Tragedy: Deputy Killed, Father Arrested

Just 24 hours later, tragedy struck again—this time on the other side of the law.

On Thursday afternoon, Rodney Hinton Jr., father of Ryan Hinton, was taken into custody after allegedly intentionally driving his vehicle into a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy, who was assisting with a traffic detail near an intersection.

Witnesses say the vehicle accelerated toward the deputy without warning. The deputy was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released pending family notification.

Police immediately apprehended Hinton and charged him with aggravated murder, alleging that the killing was premeditated and deliberate. Authorities have not officially commented on whether the killing was a direct act of revenge in response to Ryan’s death, but sources close to the investigation confirm that the proximity of events is a key focus.

Hinton is now being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center and is expected to appear in court early next week. If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty under Ohio law.

A Community in Shock

The rapid escalation of violence—beginning with a controversial police shooting and ending with the deliberate killing of a law enforcement officer—has left residents in the Cincinnati area stunned and searching for answers.

“This is a tragedy on all fronts,” said Pastor Michael Langford, a community leader who has worked on violence prevention efforts. “Two lives have been lost, and now two families are shattered. One grieving a son, another grieving a husband, a father, a protector of the community.”

Local advocacy groups have already begun calling for transparency in the investigation into Ryan Hinton’s death, demanding that all footage be released publicly and that an independent review be conducted. Some residents are also urging for mental health evaluations and resources for families affected by police violence.

“This cycle of pain and retaliation benefits no one,” said Tamika Robles, director of Cincinnati’s Urban Justice Coalition. “We need accountability, yes. But we also need to be investing in crisis intervention, trauma response, and de-escalation—because what just happened could’ve been prevented on multiple levels.”

Legal and Investigative Next Steps

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has taken over the investigation into the police shooting of Ryan Hinton, while the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is working alongside state prosecutors to build a case against Rodney Hinton Jr.

The officer who shot Ryan will remain on leave pending the outcome of the BCI investigation. Civil rights attorneys representing the Hinton family have stated that they will be conducting their own review of the bodycam footage and forensic evidence.

Meanwhile, a memorial is growing at the site where the deputy was killed, with fellow officers, family members, and community members placing flowers, candles, and handwritten messages in remembrance.

A Deeply Wounded Community

The tragedy of two deaths—one a young man whose life had just begun, the other a public servant whose life was taken in the line of duty—has ignited both grief and outrage across Hamilton County. As families mourn and law enforcement investigate, the community is once again forced to reckon with the fragility of life, the consequences of violence, and the urgent need for dialogue and healing.

“This isn’t just a police issue or a Black family issue—it’s a human issue,” said Rev. Angela Meadows, who held a vigil for both victims Friday night. “And if we don’t come together and do something differently, we’re going to keep losing more lives.”