Police sergeant, mother and daughter killed in Ohio shooting; suspect dead

An Ohio police sergeant was killed and four SWAT officers were injured after officers came under fire while responding to a break-in at a home in the city of Rittman, according to officials. The suspected gunman, his ex-partner and her 13-year-old daughter also died at the scene.

The shooting happened at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday at a home on Chippewa Trail in Rittman, a small city in northeast Ohio about 20 miles southwest of Akron, according to officials.

Wayne County Sheriff Tom Ballinger said officers were responding to a disturbance and shots-fired call at the home when they were immediately fired upon.

“At this point in time, we have lost an officer in the line of duty,” Ballinger said at a briefing. He said other officers and a police dog were also injured.

The officer who died was identified as Sgt. Scott Ries of the Rittman Police Department. He died at a hospital.

The Wayne County Coroner’s Office identified the suspected shooter as 38-year-old Brandon Fazekas. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other people were found dead inside the home. They were identified as Fazekas’ ex-partner, 43-year-old Christine McWilliams, and her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley McWilliams.

Four members of the Medina/Wayne County SWAT Team were struck by gunfire during the incident, according to officials. Two were taken to a hospital in stable condition, while two others were treated at the scene.

A Wayne County Sheriff’s Office K-9 named Vick was also injured and remains in serious condition.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation. Officials have not released additional details about what led up to the shooting.

Ries, 54, had previously served as a deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and as an officer with the Sugar Grove Police Department in Fairfield County. A procession was held Monday afternoon.

“Sgt. Ries served the Rittman Police Department with honor and courage,” the city said in a statement. “Throughout his service, Sgt. Ries demonstrated an enduring commitment to protecting others and upholding the values of our department.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags lowered to half-staff on public grounds in Wayne County in Ries’ honor.

“Fran and I offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Rittman Police Sergeant Scott Ries, who was killed in the line of duty last night while selflessly answering a call for help in Wayne County,” DeWine said in a statement.