The heart of Cincinnati is heavy with grief as two families mourn profound losses in a sequence of events that has left the city searching for answers. On May 1, 2025, 18-year-old Ryan Hinton was fatally shot by a Cincinnati police officer during a pursuit linked to a stolen vehicle investigation. Just one day later, on May 2, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson, a beloved figure in local law enforcement, was struck and killed by a car driven by Rodney Hinton Jr., Ryan’s father. Authorities have charged Hinton Jr. with aggravated murder, alleging the act was intentional, a devastating response to the loss of his son. These back-to-back tragedies have sparked intense community debate, calls for transparency, and a deep examination of the circumstances that led to such catastrophic outcomes.
The sequence began in Cincinnati’s East Price Hill neighborhood, where police responded to reports of a stolen 2021 Kia Telluride, tracked via GPS from Edgewood, Kentucky. Four suspects, including Ryan Hinton, were confronted by uniformed officers in a parking lot. As the group fled in different directions, one officer pursued Ryan, who was allegedly armed. According to Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge, the officer observed Ryan holding a handgun, prompting shouts of warning captured on body camera footage. Moments later, as Ryan emerged from between two dumpsters, the officer fired four shots, two of which struck Ryan in the chest and arm, killing him. A handgun with an extended clip was recovered at the scene, though it had not been fired. Theetge emphasized the brevity of the encounter, noting that only six seconds elapsed from the moment the suspects fled to the fatal shots. The body camera footage, described as blurry due to the officer’s rapid movement, has not definitively shown whether Ryan pointed the weapon at the officer, fueling questions from his family and community advocates.
The following morning, Rodney Hinton Jr., 38, joined family members at the Cincinnati Police Department to view the body camera footage of his son’s death. Attorneys representing the Hinton family described him as visibly distraught, unable to watch the video in its entirety. Shortly after leaving the meeting, Hinton Jr. drove to the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Burnet Woods Drive near the University of Cincinnati, where Deputy Larry Henderson was directing traffic for a graduation ceremony. Henderson, a 33-year veteran who had retired in December 2024 but continued serving as a special deputy, was standing in a high-visibility vest when Hinton Jr.’s Ford Focus accelerated toward him. Witnesses and video evidence, including footage from a nearby bus, indicate no attempt to brake or avoid the deputy. Henderson was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, speaking at a press conference, expressed profound sorrow, describing Henderson as a respected trainer whose influence touched hundreds of deputies.
Rodney Hinton Jr. was arrested and charged with aggravated murder. At his arraignment on May 3, prosecutors argued the act was premeditated, citing witness accounts and video evidence showing Hinton Jr. deliberately targeting Henderson. His attorney, Clyde Bennett, entered a not-guilty plea, asserting that Hinton Jr. was not in his right mind after witnessing the footage of his son’s death. Bennett called for a mental competency evaluation, framing the incident as a tragic outcome of emotional distress rather than a calculated attack. On May 6, a Hamilton County judge denied bond, citing the severity of the charge and concerns for public safety. The courtroom was tense, with dozens of deputies present in support of Henderson, while a brief disruption by Hinton Jr.’s brother underscored the raw emotions surrounding the case.
The Cincinnati NAACP has called for an independent investigation into Ryan Hinton’s shooting, emphasizing the need for clarity amid widespread mistrust. Chapter President David Whitehead urged the community to remain calm as facts emerge, acknowledging the pain felt on all sides. Ryan’s grandmother, Tonya Larkin, described him as a “sweet, gentle giant” who loved spending time with family, amplifying the family’s demand for answers about the police’s actions. Meanwhile, the loss of Deputy Henderson, whose badge number 129 will be retired, has left law enforcement reeling. Sheriff McGuffey praised his legacy as a bomb technician, dive team member, and mentor, vowing to honor his service.
As investigations into both incidents continue, Cincinnati grapples with the ripple effects of these tragedies. The Hinton family’s grief, the law enforcement community’s mourning, and the public’s call for accountability converge in a city seeking healing and resolution. A grand jury is set to review Hinton Jr.’s case on May 12, while the community awaits further details that may shed light on these devastating events.