Rodney Hinton Jr. Charged With Aggravated Murder After Intentionally Striking Hamilton County Deputy
Crash in Cincinnati: Pain Turns Deadly
The streets around the University of Cincinnati buzzed with graduates and proud families, but the celebrations took a horrific turn. On May 3, 2025, as traffic was being managed for the bustling graduation weekend, Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Rodney Hinton Jr. was struck and killed. The man behind the wheel, Rodney Hinton Jr., wasn't just another driver frustrated by city congestion. Police now say this wasn't an accident—it was a calculated and deliberate act of violence. Prosecutors hit Hinton with an aggravated murder charge, the most serious in Ohio law, alleging he intentionally drove his vehicle straight at the deputy, leaving the law enforcement and academic communities shaken.
Witnesses didn’t hesitate—they told investigators Hinton seemed to aim directly for the traffic post where the deputy was working. Evidence from cameras and forensic analysis reportedly backs up those stories. All this unfolded less than 24 hours after another police-involved tragedy made headlines: Hinton’s son, Ryan, was shot and killed by Cincinnati officers during a pursuit.
The Lead-Up: One Tragedy Breeds Another
Ryan Hinton’s fatal encounter with law enforcement is still under intense scrutiny. According to police, Ryan was on the run during a chase and, crucially, allegedly pointed a gun at pursuing officers. Body camera footage pulled from the chaotic scene captures an officer shouting warnings—'he’s got a gun, he’s got a gun'—just before the shots rang out. But the footage also confirms that Ryan didn’t fire at police before he went down behind the apartment complex. In a city already tense from police-community relations, the shooting added fuel to the fire of anger and grief.
The day after Ryan’s death, the focus shifted when his father, Rodney Hinton Jr., found himself in handcuffs. After a brief appearance in court, prosecutors made it clear they believe there was premeditation and that this was not some spontaneous lashing out. Hinton’s defense attorney argued that his client has never been convicted of a felony before, suggesting this was a tragic aberration, not a pattern of criminal behavior. But the judge wasn’t swayed and ordered Hinton held without bond until his hearing set for May 7.
As investigators piece together both deadly incidents, city and state leaders stepped in with strong words. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called the killing of the deputy 'an intentional act of violence.' Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, visibly moved, said, 'Graduation weekend should have been filled with hope, not heartbreak.' Attorney General Dave Yost sent condolences to the deputy’s family and urged support for those who risk their lives to keep others safe.
With the Cincinnati police homicide unit still working full speed, officials ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to step forward. They’ve kept the deputy’s name private for now, shielding the family as much as possible from unwanted attention. The city waits for answers, with many hoping that the full story, when it emerges, will bring some measure of understanding to a double tragedy that feels both shocking and deeply personal for Cincinnati.