Brandon Fazekas Obituary, Ohio Gunman Dies by Suspected Suicide After Fatal Rittman Shooting

Authorities have identified 39-year-old Brandon Fazekas as the suspect in the deadly shooting that unfolded in Rittman, Ohio, on the night of July 5, 2026. Investigators say Fazekas died from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a violent incident that claimed the lives of three other people, including Rittman Police Sgt. Scott Ries, 44-year-old Christine McWilliams, and her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley McWilliams. The tragedy also left four responding law enforcement officers wounded and a Wayne County Sheriff’s Office K-9 injured. The investigation remains ongoing under the direction of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

According to officials from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Medina County Sheriff’s Office, and Rittman Police Department, officers were dispatched shortly after 9:30 p.m. following a 911 call reporting a break-in and shots fired at a residence on Chippewa Trail. When officers arrived at the scene, they immediately came under heavy gunfire. Sgt. Scott Ries, a veteran officer with the Rittman Police Department, was fatally wounded during the response, while four members of the Medina/Wayne County SWAT Team suffered gunshot injuries. Two officers were transported to the hospital and later released, while two others were treated at the scene.

Investigators later confirmed that Christine McWilliams and her teenage daughter, McKinley McWilliams, were found deceased inside the residence. Authorities identified Brandon Fazekas as the suspected shooter and said he was also found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and has not yet released a final report detailing the sequence of events.

The shooting has deeply affected the small community of Rittman, where residents have gathered at memorials to honor Sgt. Ries, Christine McWilliams, and McKinley McWilliams. Flowers, candles, and handwritten messages have been placed outside the Rittman Police Department and near the family’s home as neighbors struggle to process the devastating loss. Community leaders have described the incident as one of the darkest moments in the city’s history, emphasizing the resilience and compassion shown by residents in the aftermath.

Authorities have also released additional information about Fazekas’s background. Court records indicate he had multiple felony convictions in Medina County dating back more than a decade, including convictions related to forgery, breaking and entering, and vandalism. Officials have not indicated whether those prior convictions were directly connected to the events that unfolded on July 5, but investigators continue to examine all aspects of the case as part of their ongoing review.

The death of Sgt. Scott Ries has been particularly significant for the law enforcement community. Ries was a 10-year veteran of the Rittman Police Department who had previously served with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Sugar Grove Police Department. His death marked the first line-of-duty death in the history of the Rittman Police Department, prompting tributes from fellow officers, state officials, and community members across Ohio.

As investigators continue their work, officials have urged the public to rely on verified information and avoid speculation regarding the motive or circumstances surrounding the shooting until the investigation is complete. Community members remain focused on supporting the families of the victims, honoring Sgt. Ries’s service, and remembering Christine and McKinley McWilliams, whose lives were tragically cut short in the violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, help is available. Reaching out to a trusted person or contacting a local crisis service can make an important difference.