Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter shot and killed in line of duty

A Cleveland police officer — identified as 27-year-old Jamieson Ritter — was killed in an overnight shooting.

Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd confirmed the news during a press conference shortly before 7 a.m., saying the officer was with the department for the past four years assigned to the Third District.

"This is a really tough situation, and it's hitting everyone really hard," Todd said during the press conference.

Todd said officers had received a call to respond to the 1500 block of East 80th "for a male wanted for a felonious assault from a local suburb."

"Officers arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with the male," she explained. "The male did exit the house and tried to leave the area on a bicycle. Officers attempted to arrest the male when the male produced a firearm and began firing multiple times. One of our members was struck by one of those bullets. He was transported to the hospital and he did expire at the hospital from his injuries."

The suspect — identified as 24-year-old De'Lawnte Hardy — has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder. He was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, but Todd said he had no injuries.

Matt Rascon reports: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/loc...