What began as a heartbreaking loss turned into a national debate after Rodney Hinton Jr., a grieving father from Cincinnati, Ohio, was arrested for the vehicular killing of a police officer. His son, Ryan Hinton, had been shot and killed by Cincinnati police just one day earlier.
What followed were viral court videos, online fundraising campaigns, public rallies, and intense arguments about race, police violence, and the limits of justice in America.
A Father’s Grief Turns Deadly
On May 2, 2025, police in Cincinnati’s East Price Hill responded to a call about a stolen vehicle. Bodycam footage later showed four young men running away. Ryan Hinton, 18, was seen fleeing from behind dumpsters. Police shouted he had a gun, and one officer opened fire.
Police later shared a photo of a loaded firearm, saying Ryan had it in hand. The coroner’s report said the bullet entered under Ryan’s arm, struck his heart, and exited from his chest.
The next day, Ryan’s father, Rodney Hinton Jr., and family were invited to watch the footage. After only 20 minutes, Hinton walked out—too overwhelmed with grief to continue.
Just hours later, prosecutors say Hinton saw Officer Larry Henderson, 57, a retired sheriff’s deputy working traffic duty for a college graduation ceremony. Hinton allegedly drove directly into him at high speed, killing him instantly.
Henderson had no connection to Ryan’s death. According to authorities, he was likely targeted just for being a police officer.
Public Reaction: From Outrage to Support
The incident quickly went viral. But instead of universal condemnation, Hinton’s arrest sparked division.
While many in Cincinnati condemned the killing, online platforms saw an explosion of support for Hinton, especially among communities already angry about systemic police violence.
- Court videos of Hinton walking past police officers were edited with civil rights music, gaining millions of views.
- Merchandise, including T-shirts and mugs saying “Free Rodney Hinton Jr.”, appeared online.
- Multiple fundraising campaigns raised nearly $100,000 in donations, though some platforms like GoFundMe later removed them after police union complaints.
A Divided Narrative
Supporters argue that Hinton’s actions must be seen through the lens of decades of racial injustice and police brutality.
His lawyer, Clyde Bennett, plans to argue that Hinton suffered a mental health episode triggered by watching his son’s death. “He didn’t understand what he was doing at that moment,” Bennett told the press. He plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
Meanwhile, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has called for remaining fundraisers to be shut down, saying, “We shouldn’t be crowdfunding an evildoer,” even while admitting no laws were broken.
The Debate Online and in the Streets
Writers and activists have compared Hinton’s actions to that of Luigi Mangione, another controversial figure who gained support after a violent act seen as targeting a corrupt system.
Journalist Leslie Vargas wrote:
“If you’re Team Luigi Mangione, you should be Team Rodney Hinton Jr. too… America always finds compassion for white rage while criminalizing Black grief.”
Others echoed the idea that Black families suffer from both police violence and public judgment when they react emotionally or irrationally to trauma.
In response, the Black Panthers held a meeting in Cincinnati to organize support for Hinton, saying they hoped to change public thinking about justice and anger.
A Family Torn by Tragedy
As public debates rage, Hinton’s own family is calling for peace and healing.
His father, Rodney Hinton Sr., spoke at a press conference saying:
“Everybody is hurting—the officer’s family, our family, the mother. It was an emotional mistake.”
Hinton’s wife, Anna Booker-Hinton, has criticised media coverage, writing on a fundraiser page:
“The media is trying to portray Rodney as an angry man lashing out. But he was a grieving father in unimaginable pain.”
Two funerals were held just days apart. Officer Henderson was honoured by hundreds, with police cars from across Ohio attending his service on May 9. Ryan Hinton was laid to rest shortly after, with mourners wearing red, his favourite colour.