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Bail set at $5M for suspect in fatal shooting of Cleveland police officer

Posted on by Dsen .N

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 24-year-old man charged with aggravated murder in the fatal shooting of a Cleveland police officer was questioned on the stand Friday morning.

Judge Andrea Nelson Moore set Delawnte Hardy’s bail at $5 million, and a preliminary hearing was set for July 17.

Prosecutor José Torres confirmed that the arrest warrant served on Hardy before he fatally shot a Cleveland police officer was related to the shooting of his grandmother.

“Quite frankly, the increase in violence against young people is disturbing, exhausting and disheartening,” the judge said just before setting Hardy’s bail.

Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said 27-year-old Officer Jamieson Ritter was shot in the 1500 block of E. 80th Place around 1 a.m. in the city’s Hough neighborhood.

According to Chief Todd, multiple officers responded to the scene to serve an arrest warrant on a man wanted for aggravated assault.

When they arrived, the suspect was seen leaving the home on a bicycle. Chief Todd said while trying to detain him, the suspect fired shots, striking Officer Ritter.

According to Torres, Hardy fired five shots.

Hardy was arrested at the scene and taken to the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. He was charged with aggravated murder.

Delawnte Hardy((Source: Cleveland Police))

Chief Todd added that Hardy was not injured but was taken to the hospital “as a precaution.”

Chief Todd said Officer Ritter has been with the department for four years and is assigned to the Third District.

“They need to be recognized for the heroes they are,” Chief Todd said.

Team Story: Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter Killed in the Line of Duty

“I ask the people of Cleveland to pray for this family and for the men and women of our police department,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

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