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 County Sheriff's Office who were part of the Medina/Wayne 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 GoFundMe has been set up to help support Ries' family. CLICK HERE for more information.
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:
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."
Medina County releases deputy body camera footage
Body camera footage released showed the dramatic scene when Medina County deputies were ducking for cover as gunfire rang out around them Sunday night.
The footage provided by the Medina County Sheriff’s Office took place after Ries was already shot and wounded.
Watch Scott Noll's report:
Hundreds flock to the Rittman Police Department for vigil
Monday night, hundreds of people flooded the street and front yard of the Rittman police station to remember Ries, McWilliams and her daughter.
Tanya Stehler and Mitchell Bischoff said they saw on social media that the community was looking for a vigil, but none had been set up yet.
"There wasn't really one designated person that was stepping up to come out, and Mitchell saw the same thing. He's like, 'I'm here,' and I said, 'I'm here at 7 o'clock,' and here we are. We're hoping for a good turnout and all glory and honor to the King above," Stehler said.
Stehler said she didn't personally know McWilliams or her daughter but grew up with Ries.
"My dad worked with his father, so I've known him since I was a baby. My brother used to go hunting with Kenny, his dad, and Scott, so this really hit home and close to our family. I personally didn't know the victims, but I deeply mourn their loss as well. Scott's hitting close to home to me," she told News 5's Kaylee Olivas on Monday.
Weighing heavily on Stehler's heart is a verse from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 11. She said it reads, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened. You will give us rest."
"Even in this tragic situation, we know that we can call on our Father and he's going to hear our cries. He's going to hear our burdens, and before we even say it, he knows then he's wiping our tears and comforting our hearts before we can even articulate what we need," Stehler said.
Bischoff said mourning them through prayer is something he knew the Rittman community needed.
"We can look at a tragic situation, and we can mourn, and that's healthy and appropriate, but when you have the faith of Jesus in your life, it's more important to point people to the hope that they can find in Jesus and say, 'In the good and the bad, we'll praise you.' I love the song by Casting Crowns that says, 'I will praise you in the storm,' and that's what I hope tonight accomplishes," Bischoff said. "Mourning's an interesting process. It's not easy, whether you know somebody personally or not, when you're in a community of like 3,000 people. You grieve together, you love together, and when one of us is grieving, we're all grieving."
Bischoff said Psalm 73 sits with him now more than ever.
"I actually have it written on my arm. It's strength. The Psalm goes, 'My heart and flesh may fail, the Lord is my strength and portion forever.' That's what I hope tonight accomplishes, is regardless of how people feel, what's going on through their emotions, knowing that Jesus is a constant and that we can depend on him in the good and the bad," Bischoff said.
Bischoff and Stehler led those who showed up through prayer.
Officers from neighboring communities stopped by to pay their respects, too.
In front of the department was a growing memorial of flowers, candles and stuffed animals.
Over on Chippewa Trail, where the shootings occurred, another memorial is being built.
Ciera Whims, a nearby neighbor, stopped by both the police station and the home where McWilliams and her daughter lived to pay her respects on Monday.
"My daughter, last year was her first year at Rittman. She's in pre-K, but stuff like this always breaks her heart. We're in the church. Anything like this, really, just for a little girl at the age of 4, it really breaks her up a little bit, and all she kept asking was, you know, 'Mommy, I want to show that I care,' and we went and got flowers, we left one here, and then we also left one up at the police station. I think everybody in the neighborhood should definitely take, you know, a trip down here because nobody ever deserves to go out like that or to lose their life trying to protect others," Whims said.
Whims said she didn't personally know any of those who lost their lives but believes in showing love regardless.
"Even without knowing them, I wanted to give them the love that they deserved," she said. "Pray for the community, pray for the ones that have dealt with it, and I know that God will get them through it no matter what, and they're in a way better place than they ever were here."
McWilliams was employed with The Powers team of Howard Hanna in Medina. The realty group posted to social media on Monday, calling McWilliams a "ray of sunshine."
Watch Kaylee Olivas' report:
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.’”
Efforts to help impacted families
The Rittman Chamber of Commerce is working to provide assistance to families affected by Sunday night’s tragedy with a Community Support Event next week.
On Monday, July 13, community members are invited to Fritz Park, where proceeds from participating food vendors will go to those impacted by the fatal shooting.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and six local vendors will be present.
“We invite everyone in our community to stop by, enjoy a meal, and stand together in support of our neighbors. Even a small purchase can make a meaningful difference,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Nelson said in an email.
