New Investigation Findings Expose Critical Moments Before Cleveland Officer’s Death
The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered new details surrounding the tragic death of Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, shedding light on the intense confrontation that led to his fatal shooting. The revelations come from an internal investigation into police use of force, which provides the first-hand accounts of officers present during the incident.
The shooting occurred on July 4 when Cleveland police attempted to arrest Delawnte Hardy, who had earlier shot his grandmother. Hardy tried to flee the scene on a bike, and as officers pursued him, they encountered him armed with two samurai swords and a pink firearm. The new reports indicate that Officer Ritter attempted to stop Hardy, at which point the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding the officer.
Multiple officers had their weapons drawn during the encounter, with six officers pointing guns at Hardy, as detailed in their reports. Despite being at “pistol point” and “rifle point,” Hardy continued to shoot, even as one officer held him down. Hardy allegedly taunted officers, telling them to shoot him. However, despite the intense threat, police did not fire on Hardy.
Cleveland Police Union President Andy Gasiewski praised the officers involved, calling them “heroes” for their actions. He acknowledged that while the officers were justified in using deadly force, they chose not to shoot, despite the grave danger.
The internal investigation, part of the use of force review, meticulously documented every action taken by the officers, including the takedown by Officer Ritter, who was shot during the struggle. The report found no policy violations in the officers’ conduct.
Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd declined to answer questions on camera but issued a statement emphasizing the department’s commitment to transparency and objective reviews of use of force. The statement confirmed that the actions taken by officers on the scene were deemed “reasonable and necessary” given the circumstances, with Hardy’s previous shooting of a family member and refusal to comply with police orders.
While Hardy faces multiple felony charges, he has been declared incompetent to stand trial and is currently undergoing treatment at a mental health facility.
Officer Ritter’s bravery and sacrifice have left a lasting impact on the Cleveland Police Department. “He will always be a hero,” said Gasiewski. “No one will ever forget.”
