Suspect used woman as shield in Hamilton officer-involved shooting

UPDATE @ 3:10 p.m.:

The suspect, Kelley Brandon Forte, was using the pharmacist as a shield and was holding a 10-inch knife to her throat, Police Chief Craig Bucheit said today during a review of the officer-involved shooting that killed that suspect Aug. 22.

“All life is sacred and a loss under these circumstances is unfortunate,” he said.

Watch Chief Bucheit's comments live now on the Journal-News Facebook page.

UPDATE @ 11:40 a.m.:

The Hamilton Police Department will offer a "step by step review" today of the officer-involved shooting that killed a robbery suspect as he held a knife to the throat of a pharmacist Aug. 22.

A Butler County grand jury declined to return any indictments against Hamilton police officer Kevin Ruhl, who fatally shot Kelley Brandon Forte during the incident.

Surveillance video from the Walgreens store where the incident took place as well as “other investigative findings” will be released this afternoon, according to Sgt. Brian Robinson of the Hamilton Police Department.

UPDATE @ 10:30 a.m.:

Statements from witnesses and the Butler County Coroner’s Office as well as surveillance video from the Walgreens store were part of evidence seen last Friday by the Butler County grand jury to consider whether any criminal charge should be issued from the resulting police use of force.

“The confronting officer (Ruhl) fatally shot the assailant preventing potential injury to him and others and preventing the assailant’s escape,” Gmoser said this morning.

The prosecutor said when the officers responded, Ruhl “demanded the assailant cease, desist, and surrender.”

“The immediate environment was close quarters and the assailant refused,” Gmoser said. “With knife in hand, (Forte) charged toward and then away from the officer.”

Gmoser said the first of three shots were fired by Ruhl “during the close approach by the assailant (Forte).”

INITIAL REPORT:

A Butler County grand jury declined to return any indictments against a Hamilton police officer who fatally shot a robbery suspect Aug. 22 at the Walgreens on High Street, according to county Prosecutor Michael Gmoser.

Officer Kevin Ruhl, 33, a nine-year veteran of the police department, shot the suspect, Kelley Brandon Forte, during an early morning robbery as he held a knife to the neck of a pharmacist. Officer Danielle Sorber, 23, a one-year veteran of the police department also responded to the scene.

Hamilton Police Chief Craig Bucheit said the officers were called to the store after 911 callers told dispatchers they saw a man jump the counter of the pharmacy. When Ruhl and Sorber arrived, Forte was holding the woman at knife-point.

The case was presented to a grand jury on Friday, which is the policy of the prosecutor with all officer-involved shootings in the county.

Gmoser said Forte was shot three times by Ruhl after charging the officer. The incident lasted eight seconds and was captured on the store surveillance tape, according to Gmoser.