Multiple people were killed in a shooting in Rittman on Sunday night, including a police officer who responded to reports of gunfire.
Authorities also confirmed the deaths of two additional victims and the suspected gunman. Four deputies from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and a police K-9 were injured during the incident.
On Monday morning, Rittman police identified the fallen officer as Sgt. Scott Ries. He had served with the department for 10 years and previously worked as a deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and as a police officer in Sugar Grove, Fairfield County.
The city of Rittman released the following statement Monday:
It is with profound sadness that the Rittman Police Department and the City of Rittman announces the tragic loss of Sgt. Scott Ries, 54, who was killed in the line of duty responding to a disturbance call.
Sgt. Ries served the Rittman Police Department with honor and courage. Throughout his service, Sgt. Ries demonstrated an enduring commitment to protecting others and upholding the values of our department.
Our hearts are broken with this unimaginable loss. The incident remains under active investigation with BCI. We are grateful for the outpouring support from our community and law enforcement partners.
Community members will gather for a candlelight vigil to honor Ries at 7 p.m. at the Rittman Police Station, located at 33 E. Ohio Ave.
On Monday afternoon, Luke Reynolds, chief investigator with the Wayne County Coroner’s Office, identified the other two victims as 43-year-old Christine McWilliams and her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley McWilliams.
Authorities identified the suspected gunman as 38-year-old Brandon Fazekas. Reynolds said Fazekas suffered a gunshot wound that was “consistent with suicide.”
FOX 8’s Jessica Dill reported that Fazekas, a Wayne County resident, is believed to have been the victim’s current or former boyfriend.
Wayne County Sheriff’s K-9 officer Vick was also shot and remains in serious condition as the dog undergoes surgery, authorities said.
As of early Monday afternoon, officials had not released any updates on the K-9’s condition.
Authorities said four Medina County sheriff’s deputies who responded to the incident were also struck by gunfire. Two deputies were taken to a hospital for treatment, while the other two received medical care at the scene.
Wayne County Sheriff Tom Ballinger said officers responded to a reported break-in with shots fired on Chippewa Trail around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. He said officers came under immediate gunfire as soon as they arrived at the scene.
Tim Hershman, who lives next door, said he heard three gunshots Sunday night. After checking in with his wife, he stepped outside to see what was happening. Moments later, he heard about a dozen more shots and quickly fled.
“Scared me to death,” Hershman said. “I got my dog and went back down to the basement, as well as with my wife.”
Hershman said he heard as many as 75 gunshots that night and believes Fazekas was firing at officers from an upstairs bedroom window.
He said he knew the victims well and that they had moved into the neighborhood about six years ago. He was stunned to learn Fazekas would hurt Christine and McKinley, people who had once been very close to him.
“I’m just so, so terrified and sorrowful from the loss of his families,” he said. “All the families.”
Hershman said he doesn’t know how the community will move forward but hopes everyone comes together to support those who are grieving.
“Just worry about each other and take care of each other and just watch out for each other. Like I said, that would be the message,” Hershman said. “And you just never think it would happen to a community like this, but it did.”
Crime scene tape remained around several nearby homes Monday morning as investigators continued to process the scene.
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