Four people died after police responded to a reported break-in and shots fired.
RITTMAN, Ohio — A Rittman police sergeant was killed Sunday night after officers responded to a 911 call about a break-in and gunfire at a Wayne County home, authorities said.
Sgt. Scott Ries, 54, died after officers arrived near 90 Chippewa Trail and came under immediate gunfire. Authorities said Christine McWilliams, 44, her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley McWilliams, and the suspected gunman, Brandon Fazekas, 39, also died.
Wayne County Sheriff Tom Ballinger said dispatchers received the call around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Officers from Rittman and nearby agencies responded to the area near North Metzger Avenue and Saurer Street. A joint statement from Rittman police and sheriff’s officials said officers were fired on as soon as they reached the scene.
Four additional officers were struck by gunfire. Officials said two were taken to a hospital in stable condition and two were treated at the scene. A police dog named Vick was seriously injured. Investigators have not released a full timeline of the shooting or said how each person died.
Ries was a 10-year veteran of the Rittman Police Department. He also had served with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Sugar Grove Police Department. Rittman Mayor Rudy Arnold said Ries “stood between violence and the people he swore to protect and he did not step back.”
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the shooting. Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags lowered in Wayne County and at state buildings until sunset on the day of Ries’ funeral. Local officials said funeral plans had not been finalized.
Residents gathered Monday outside the Rittman Police Department for a vigil. Flowers and candles were placed in memory of Ries, Christine McWilliams and McKinley McWilliams as investigators continued processing the scene.
The investigation remains active, and officials said more details will be released after next-of-kin notifications, evidence review and agency briefings are complete.
Author note: Last updated July 7, 2026.