Man accused of killing Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter and his own grandmother found incompetent to stand trial

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The suspect accused of killing Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter and his own grandmother was found incompetent to stand trial at this time.

Delawnte Hardy, 24, has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges; including, three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, one count of murder, four counts of felonious assault, two counts of receiving stolen property and two counts of aggravated robbery.

Judge Ashley Kilbane ordered Hardy to undergo in-patient treatment at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in Columbus, OH to see if he can be restored to competency.

While at the hospital, Hardy must cooperate with all all prescribed medications. Doctors will provide the court with written updates.

Cleveland police said Hardy fatally shot Officer Ritter on July 4 in the 1500 block of E. 80th St. and shot his grandmother, Beatrice Porter, on June 28 at her Garfield Heights home.

After the June 28 shooting, O’Malley said Hardy fled on his grandfather’s bicycle.

A family member called Garfield Heights police on June 29 after finding Porter and a warrant was issued for Hardy’s arrest.

Around 1 a.m. on July 4, Cleveland police responded to a 911 call stating Hardy was at a relative’s home near East 80th Street and Wade Park Avenue.

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Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said officers arrived at the home and placed a spotlight on the residence.

According to O’Malley, Officer Ritter instructed Hardy six times over a loudspeaker to exit the home out the front door with his hands up.

Hardy allegedly fled out the back door of the home on his grandfather’s bicycle with two swords and the gun he stole from his grandmother.

As Hardy rode away, several officers tried to arrest him and Hardy allegedly fired four shots.

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, said O’Malley.

Officer Ritter was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Hardy was taken into custody at the scene.

Porter, 63, died from her injuries around noon on July 4.

Officer Ritter was honored at a memorial service in Cleveland on July 8 and laid to rest in his home state of New York on July 13.

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