RITTMAN, Ohio — Four people are dead, including a Rittman police officer, following a violent night in which eight people were shot in Wayne County. The fallen officer was identified as Sgt. Scott Ries, a 10-year veteran of the Rittman Police Department.
Around 9:54 p.m. on Sunday, Rittman police officers responded to a 911 call that came in about a break-in and shots being fired at 90 Chippewa Trail, according to the Medina County Sheriff's Office.
Responding officers immediately started taking fire, Wayne County Sheriff Tom Ballinger said during an overnight news conference.
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On Monday, Ballinger, Rittman Police Chief Robert Shows and Medina County Sheriff Terry Grice released a joint statement that said in addition to the officer who was killed, four members of the Medina/Wayne County SWAT Team were shot.
Ries died at the hospital.
"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 (of) support from our community and law enforcement partners," Rittman Police said in a news release Monday morning.
Prior to Rittman, Ries served as a deputy for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and as an officer for the Sugar Grove Police Department in Fairfield County.
A procession was held Monday afternoon to take Ries to the Auble Funeral Home.
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A Wayne County Sheriff's Department K-9, Vick, was shot and is in serious condition. Two of the four SWAT team members were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and are in stable condition. The other two were treated at the scene.
The suspect and two victims are dead.
Wayne County Coroner Dr. Amy Jolliff told News 5's Bob Jones the suspect was Brandon Fazekas, and the victims were Christine McWilliams and her 13-year-old daughter McKinley McWilliams, who died before the officer was killed, and it appears Fazekas died by suicide.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation.
A News 5 crew was on scene around Cheyenne Drive as they saw drones and a helicopter in the air. They also watched as law enforcement ran through front lawns and backyards, and asked residents how many people were in their house. Their focus appeared to be on a two-story home.
Vehicles from the sheriff's department and Rittman, Wooster and Smithville police departments, some of which had bullet holes, were towed from the scene.
Watch Nadeen Abusada's report:
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Rittman police station to honor the fallen officer.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson issued the following regarding Ries' death:
"A career peace officer, Sgt. Ries dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. He made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting his community. My prayers are with his family, his fellow officers and everyone at the Rittman Police Department."
A community mourns
Neighbors along Chippewa Trail were stunned by the chaos that unfolded around them in their normally quiet Rittman neighborhood, leaving four dead, bullet holes in cruisers and a ton of unanswered questions.
When Nickolas Hamilton moved to town, he met Officer Ries and was struck by his kindness when he helped him move a refrigerator into his home.
"Just a typical family man, good guy and taken too early. It's just sad," Hamilton said.
A motive for the tragic chain of events hasn't been made clear.
Neighbors say they are thinking of the families of the mom and daughter, Ries' family, and all the other officers involved.
"Pray for everybody, hope everybody gives them the space they need to kind of bounce back, if they can," Hamilton said.
Another neighbor, Cory Boruvka, was deeply affected by what happened.
"It's terrible because I know a lot of people in law enforcement, and actually my own son is going into law enforcement, so it kind of feels personal," Boruvka said. "You never expect something like that in this area. This is a great, safe area, so shock."
News 5's Katie Ussin talked with a local pastor about the effect the officer's death has on a small community.
“This is a close-knit home, and people really care about each other,” said Pastor Jeff Ball, South Main Street Church of God.
Ball has lived in Rittman his whole life.
“No matter the denomination, race, creed, color, doesn’t matter in this city — we’re all in this together,” said Ball. “And we help one another. So, I’m sure that the strands that are woven together in this town are going to make a profound difference in this city. I know it will.”
He opened his church doors on Monday to all who needed a place to grieve and pray. The words outside his church read: Prayers for all Rittman. On the other side: Our hearts are with you, Rittman.
“And when God sends comfort it’s real comfort,” said Ball. “It’s not fleeting comfort, but the almighty God sending the peace that we need. And I asked the Lord, and I said, ‘We sure are in need of help today. Send it down for these people.’”
