Authorities in Ohio have reported that a day after police fatally shot his 18-year-old son, a man allegedly struck and killed a sheriff's deputy with his vehicle.
Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, faces charges of aggravated murder and is currently being held without bail. This incident reportedly occurred shortly after he viewed police footage of the encounter that led to his son's death, according to the family's legal representatives.
The police chief in Cincinnati stated that "there is a connection" between the two incidents, although it has not been indicated that Hinton was acquainted with the deputy who lost his life.
Ryan Hinton was shot after allegedly brandishing a firearm during a police investigation of a stolen vehicle, officials report. A gun was recovered at the scene, but there is no evidence that he discharged it.
The deputy, whose identity has not been released, was managing traffic outside the University of Cincinnati's graduation ceremony when he was struck and killed around 1:00 PM local time on Friday.
During a court appearance on Saturday, prosecutors claimed that Mr. Hinton "calculatedly and premeditatedly aligned his vehicle, accelerated deliberately, and intentionally caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff."
Numerous law enforcement officers were present in the courtroom for the hearing.
On Friday morning, Mr. Hinton and his family convened at their attorney's office to view the police footage of his son's fatal encounter with law enforcement.
Attorney Michael Wright stated that Mr. Hinton became "understandably distraught" while watching the bodycam footage and could not complete the video.
The meeting included representatives from the Cincinnati Police Department.
"After the meeting with the police department, Ryan Hinton's father departed in his own vehicle, and that was the last we heard from him until we learned of the tragic incident involving a law enforcement officer working a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati," the attorney's statement elaborated.
"This is an unimaginable tragedy for this community," it continued. "Ryan Hinton's family is heartbroken by this tragic turn of events, and we are all devastated for the family of the officer who was killed."
A brief, unclear video shows an officer shouting "gun" before gunfire erupts during a pursuit. Investigators have stated that the shooting was justified, as the teen allegedly pointed a gun in the direction of the officer. The blurry footage does not clarify whether the teen was armed or the direction in which the gun was aimed when he was shot.
"We do not expect officers to wait until they are fired upon," Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge informed reporters during a briefing on Friday.
Two other teenagers were apprehended during the same incident.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned the deputy's killing, stating: "I have been briefed on the ongoing investigation and am appalled by what seems to be an intentional act of violence."
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the deputy's family, friends, and colleagues."
Mr. Wright also expressed condolences to the deputy's family on behalf of the Hinton family.
"This is a horrific tragedy on both sides. This family has lost their son, and this police officer has lost his life," he told The Cincinnati Enquirer.