An Ohio sheriff’s deputy assigned to traffic duty near the University of Cincinnati was fatally struck on Friday by a car driven by the father of a teenager killed by police the previous day, according to officials.
The unidentified Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy was fatally struck around 1 p.m. near the university, which was hosting a graduation ceremony.
The incident occurred while the deputy was managing traffic at an intersection, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge explained during a news briefing. After being hit, the deputy was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The deputy retired a few months ago but continued to work as a “special deputy,” the sheriff said.
Authorities reported that the driver of the vehicle was the father of an 18-year-old who had been shot and killed by Cincinnati police on Thursday. He too was hospitalized following the incident.
During an afternoon commencement ceremony, UC President Neville Pinto called for a moment of silence in his opening remarks.
The site where a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy was fatally struck Friday by a vehicle. The driver was the father of a teenager allegedly involved in a car theft who was shot and killed by Cincinnati police a day earlier, officials say. (WXIX)
“Before we get started, sadly, I have to report an incident that occurred today with a Hamilton County deputy sheriff on Martin Luther King Drive,” Pinto said. “It was a very serious incident, and I would like to ask for a moment of silence to respect this officer.”
The Cincinnati Police Department is leading the investigation into the deputy’s killing.
The son of the suspect was shot and killed Thursday as Cincinnati police officers chased four suspected car thieves in an encounter that lasted just six seconds. The officers responded to a call around 9:30 a.m. about a Kia SUV stolen from Edgewood, Kentucky, when four suspects inside the car took off running, Fox 19 Now reported.
One officer ran after one suspect, while the other officer pursued another.
Deputy killed near UC’s campus (WXIX)
One of the suspects had a handgun, Theetge said. The suspect allegedly pointed the gun, which had an extended magazine, at the officer, who opened fire, fatally striking the teen.
Two other suspects were caught and arrested, and one remains on the run.
