Rittman Shooting Kills 4, Wounds 4 Deputies and K9 as BCI Takes Lead

Q: What was the relationship between the Ohio shooter and the mother and daughter he killed before ambushing police?

It has not been publicly established in the available reporting what Brandon Fazekas’ exact relationship was to Christine McWilliams and her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley Williams. The confirmed facts are that Fazekas, 38, McWilliams, 43, and McKinley were all found dead at the Chippewa Trail home in Rittman after the shooting, and authorities have identified the women and girl as homicide victims while Fazekas’ death was ruled consistent with suicide. Sgt. Scott Ries was then killed after officers responding to the scene came under fire. Because officials have not publicly described Fazekas as a husband, boyfriend, relative, or other specific connection in the reporting provided, any characterization beyond that would be speculative. The circumstances suggest he was connected to the household or incident at the residence, but investigators had not, at the time of the cited reports, released a defined relationship.

3 articles · Updated · Cleveland 19 News · Jul 6

Four people died in Sunday night’s Rittman shooting — Sgt. Scott Ries, 54, Christine McWilliams, 44, McKinley McWilliams, 13, and suspect Brandon Fazekas, 39.
A 9:30 p.m. 911 call reported a break-in and shots fired at 90 Chippewa Trail; responding officers reached the area and immediately came under gunfire, Wayne County Sheriff Tom Ballinger said.
Four Medina County sheriff’s deputies were hit — two were hospitalized in stable condition and two were treated at the scene and released.
K9 Vick was shot in the back hip and remained in serious condition, with veterinarians trying to stabilize the dog before considering surgery in the next 12 to 24 hours.
BCI is leading the investigation as Rittman plans a Monday vigil and procession for Ries, while flags were ordered to half-staff until sunset on the day of his funeral.