CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Delawnte Hardy, 24, for the aggravated murder of Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter in Cleveland and the aggravated murder of his grandmother, Beatrice Porter, in Garfield Heights.

“In the course of a week, Delawnte Hardy caused unimaginable damage and grief to two families, our law enforcement community, and our entire region. My office will walk step by step with these two families to ensure justice is served. My thoughts and prayers remain with those grieving from this tragic situation.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On June 28, 2024, Delawnte Hardy was staying with his 63-year-old grandmother, Beatrice Porter, at her residence near Reindeer Avenue and Claremont Boulevard in Garfield Heights. While inside her residence, he stole her firearm and shot her in the back of the head. Afterward, he fled the scene on his grandfather’s bicycle. A family member arrived at the residence the next morning around 1 a.m., found the victim, and called the police. The Garfield Heights Police Department and EMS responded to the scene. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for her injuries. A felonious assault warrant was issued for Hardy’s arrest that same day. On July 4, 2024, around 12 p.m., the victim was pronounced deceased.

On July 4, 2024, around 1 a.m., the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to a call stating that Delawnte Hardy was at a residence near East 80th Street and Wade Park Avenue in Cleveland. CDP officers arrived on the scene and placed a spotlight on the residence. During the next couple minutes, Officer Ritter instructed Hardy six times over a loudspeaker to exit the residence out the front door with his hands up. Hardy then began to flee out the back door of the residence on his grandfather’s bicycle with two swords and the firearm he stole from his grandmother.

As Hardy rode away, several officers attempted to arrest him. During the struggle, Hardy fired four shots at multiple officers. The first shot struck Officer Ritter, the second shot nearly missed another officer, and the third shot was in the direction of two other officers. CDP officers began providing life-saving aid to Officer Ritter. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Hardy was arrested and taken into custody.

On July 10, 2024, Delawnte Hardy was indicted on the following charges:

  • Three counts of Aggravated Murder
  • Two counts of Attempted Aggravated Murder
  • One count of Murder
  • Four counts of Felonious Assault
  • Two counts of Aggravated Robbery
  • Two counts of Receiving Stolen Property
  • One count of Having Weapons While Under Disability
  • One count of Theft
  • One count of Resisting Arrest
  • One count of Misdemeanor Theft

 He will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.