Crime
Cincinnati Officer Cian McGrath Cleared in Fatal May 1 Shooting of Ryan Hinton; Use of Force Deemed Legally Justified
CINCINNATI, OH — Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich announced Monday that Cincinnati police officer Cian McGrath was legally justified in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Ryan Hinton, which occurred on May 1 in East Price Hill.
After a comprehensive review of the case and forensic evidence, the prosecutor concluded that the officer acted lawfully in the face of an immediate threat.
“When Ryan Hinton was confronted by officers about a stolen vehicle, he not only had a gun—with a fully loaded magazine and a bullet in the chamber—but he pointed it at Officer A,” Pillich said during the announcement. “Officer A made a split-second decision that likely saved his life and the lives of fellow officers.”
Pillich confirmed that the case was not presented to a grand jury, stating that the review process was thorough and based on an extensive evaluation of the facts.
A final forensic report had recently been delivered to the prosecutor’s office prior to the decision.
“I am confident that the goal of a fair and complete review has been achieved,” she said.
The shooting occurred after Cincinnati police responded to a report of a stolen Kia vehicle parked at an apartment complex on Warsaw Avenue.
Two undercover units initially located the vehicle and confirmed it was occupied. They then pulled back to allow uniformed officers to engage.
As officers approached, four individuals exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot. According to Cincinnati Police Chief Terri Theetge, at least one of the suspects was visibly armed.
Hinton, identified as the individual with the weapon, slipped during his flight, and officers reported hearing the sound of a firearm hitting the ground.
Hinton regained his footing and fled between a set of dumpsters, where he encountered Officer McGrath, who was pursuing another suspect. In that encounter, Officer McGrath discharged his weapon, firing four to five rounds.
A firearm with an extended magazine was recovered at the scene, along with another loaded magazine found in Hinton’s pocket. A second firearm was discovered inside the stolen vehicle.
On May 20, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office released preliminary autopsy results. Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco reported that Hinton sustained three gunshot wounds—one to the left forearm, one to the left side of the chest, and one near the right chest.
Only one bullet was recovered, found near the right side of the chest.
In a virtual town hall hosted by Cincinnati’s Black United Front, Chief Theetge emphasized that law enforcement officers are not required to wait until a firearm is aimed directly at them to use deadly force.
She reiterated the officer’s belief that his life was in immediate danger.
In a separate but closely linked incident, Hinton’s father, Rodney Hinton Jr., was involved in a fatal crash the day after the shooting. Authorities say he struck Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson with a vehicle near the University of Cincinnati.
Deputy Henderson later died from his injuries. Rodney Hinton Jr. has since been charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder, and two counts of felonious assault. He has pleaded not guilty, and a jury trial is scheduled to begin on January 12, 2026.
Following Prosecutor Pillich’s press briefing, the Hinton family is expected to hold their own press conference at 3 p.m. to address the findings of the investigation and respond to the county’s decision.
The investigation into the May 1 shooting is now considered closed by the prosecutor’s office.
Crime
Aleksandr Aleksand Shablykin Fatally Stabs Mother Zoya Shablykin and Three Others at Key Peninsula Home
Five people, including the suspect, are dead following a violent stabbing incident and subsequent deputy-involved shooting Tuesday morning in the 14000 block of 87th Avenue Court Northwest near Gig Harbor, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
Authorities identified the suspect as 32-year-old Aleksandr Aleksand Shablykin.
Investigators say the incident began as a reported protection order violation and escalated into a deadly stabbing attack in a residential cul-de-sac.
Dispatchers received the first 911 call at approximately 8:41 a.m. reporting an “order violation in progress.” According to the sheriff’s office, an adult male had gone to a residence despite a no-contact protection order involving a female occupant of the home.
Deputies later clarified that although a protection order had been granted, it had not yet been formally served to the suspect and therefore was not legally enforceable at the time.
Deputies were en route to serve the order when the situation rapidly escalated.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., additional emergency calls reported that the man was actively stabbing individuals outside the home. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with at least one victim attacked in the middle of the street in front of multiple bystanders.
A deputy arrived on scene minutes later.
According to Officer Shelbie Boyd, spokesperson for the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT), gunfire was reported at 9:33 a.m.
“We have the adult male suspect who was shot by the deputy,” Boyd said during a press briefing.
Shablykin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding the exchange of gunfire but confirmed that the investigation remains active.
Deputies located four adult victims at the scene.
Three were pronounced dead at the residence. A fourth victim was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to their injuries.
One of the victims was identified as 52-year-old Zoya Shablykin, the suspect’s mother.
Authorities stated that relationships between the suspect and the additional victims remain under investigation.
Witness accounts suggest that neighbors may have intervened in an attempt to stop the attack.
Court records linked to the residence show that in April 2025, Zoya Shablykin petitioned for a protection order against her adult son. The order was granted in May.
In her petition, she alleged ongoing threats, harassment, and erratic behavior, including prior physical aggression. The filing referenced concerns about his mental health and stated he had previously pushed and threatened her.
The protection order prohibited the son from possessing weapons and from coming within 1,000 feet of his mother, her home, vehicle, or workplace. The order also required him to comply with a treatment plan and prescribed medications.
Investigators confirmed that although the order had been approved by the court, it had not yet been formally served to the suspect at the time of the incident. Deputies were attempting to serve the documentation when the stabbing occurred.
Court records indicate Shablykin had multiple prior contacts with law enforcement dating back to 2020, primarily involving traffic-related offenses, including driving without a valid license and refusing to identify himself during traffic stops. Records reflect at least 14 separate cases. A 2023 trespassing charge was dismissed.
A family acquaintance told media outlets that other immediate family members were not present at the residence during the attack and were safe elsewhere at the time of the incident.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Pierce County Force Investigation Team are continuing to investigate both the stabbing deaths and the deputy-involved shooting. Authorities have not yet released the names of the additional victims pending notification of next of kin.
Officials described the event as a tragic escalation of a domestic situation that unfolded rapidly despite law enforcement response efforts.
Further updates are expected as the investigation proceeds.