CINCINNATI — A man has been indicted on aggravated murder charges following an incident in which he is accused of deliberately driving his vehicle into a Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy. The charges against Rodney Hinton carry the potential for the death penalty.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich expressed her shock over the events during a press briefing, stating, “I have never witnessed a situation where someone was so intentionally targeted.” She provided timelines and details regarding the moments leading up to the tragic incident that claimed the life of retired Deputy Larry Henderson.
On May 2, Hinton arrived at the Cincinnati Police Department at approximately 9:33 a.m. to discuss an officer-involved shooting involving his son, Ryan, who, at the time, had reportedly been fleeing from police while armed. Almost 20 minutes later, visibly distressed, Hinton left the police department.
According to Pillich, the family accompanying Hinton exited the building around 10:37 a.m. and left together in a single vehicle. After a brief visit to Findlay Market and a 30-minute nap at a family member’s residence, Hinton returned to pick up his car at 12:41 p.m.
Witness reports indicate that shortly after retrieving his car, Hinton drove through the police department parking lot. “His family was still following him at that point,” Pillich noted, indicating a concerning sequence of events. At 12:50 p.m., Hinton was observed driving along Clifton Avenue, pursued by his family.
Evidence indicates Hinton drove east on Martin Luther King Drive, where Deputy Henderson was managing traffic for the University of Cincinnati’s graduation ceremonies. The situation escalated when Hinton allegedly stopped in an unused center lane before accelerating directly toward the deputy, striking him at approximately 1:05 p.m.
Pillich highlighted the danger presented by Hinton’s actions, noting that numerous pedestrians were present in the area due to the ongoing graduation festivities. “He put many lives at risk,” she stated, underscoring the gravity of the incident.
Currently, Hinton is detained at the Clermont County Jail for his protection and is being held without bond. Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey urged the community to allow the legal process to unfold, emphasizing the importance of justice in this tragic case.