A violent incident in Wayne County, Ohio, on Sunday evening, July 5, 2026, resulted in four fatalities, including a Rittman police officer.
The shooting occurred around 9:30 p. m.
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in Rittman after emergency dispatchers received reports of a disturbance and gunfire.
Responding law enforcement officers came under fire immediately upon arrival, according to local officials.
Investigation Underway
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken over the standard investigation, as confirmed by Rittman Police and reported by cleveland19.
com.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and county first responders from the Medina County Firefighters Association deployed to the scene near North Metzger Avenue and Saurer Street.
Wayne County Sheriff Tom Ballinger provided initial details about the heavy gunfire encountered by emergency units during the overnight operation.
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“For some type of disturbance and shots fired,” Ballinger said.
Following the initial exchange, the violence resulted in multiple casualties among law enforcement and civilians.
One police officer suffered fatal injuries, while two other officers and a sheriff’s department K9 were injured during the active shooter situation.
Sheriff Ballinger later confirmed the total number of fatalities, which included the individual suspected of instigating the shooting.
“Two victims,” Ballinger said.
Law enforcement operations focused heavily on a two-story residential home around Cheyenne Drive, utilizing drones and a helicopter to secure the perimeter.
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol Wooster Post advised local residents to avoid the vicinity of Rittman High School while investigators processed the scene.
