When a police shooting at a Walmart in Beavercreek, Ohio, took the life of 22-year-old John Crawford III on August 5, the cops were responding to a 911 call from another shopper who said that Crawford was pointing an AR-15 rifle at customers in the aisles of the big box store.
In the call, 24-year-old Ronald Ritchie described a black man walking around the store with the weapon, telling the 911 operator, “He’s, like, pointing it at people.”
The ‘gun’ that Crawford was allegedly pointing turned out later to be a BB gun sold in the Walmart. Speaking to reporters after police showed up and shot Crawford dead, Ritchie repeated the allegation that Crawford, “was pointing at people. Children walking by.”
Ritchie also told the 911 operator that he saw Crawford loading bullets into the supposed weapon, which clearly would have been impossible given that the toy was not a real gun.
But now Ritchie is telling a very different story. In an interview with The Guardian newspaper Sunday, Ritchie said that “at no point did he shoulder the rifle and point it at somebody.”
Ritchie continued to maintain that Crawford was “waving (the gun) around.” But an attorney for Crawford’s family who has seen Walmart surveillance video of the incident and the minutes leading up to the shooting says the video shows nothing of the kind.
Michael Wright said that the video shows Crawford walking while on the phone, with the BB gun pointed at the floor, except for one moment in which he casually swung the toy gun up to his shoulder.
Ritchie said that he was also shown the video by prosecutors, which Wright called “very improper.” Witness stories must be based solely on their personal recollections of an incident, the lawyer said.
Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine has not made the video public, saying that to do so would “playing with dynamite.”
Wright said that in the video, no other customers appeared to pay much notice to Crawford and the BB gun. But Ritchie said he felt threatened by Crawford, as did his wife, leading to the 911 call. Ritchie was the only person to call 911 from the Walmart.
So why would Ritchie lie about Crawford’s actions? That remains unclear, but it appears that he told another lie as well. In his round of media interviews, Ritchie told reporters that he was “an ex-Marine.”
The truth is that Ritchie was expelled from the Marine Corps after just seven weeks because his enlistment was determined to be “fraudulent.” Ritchie now says that the debacle was simply the result of bad paperwork.
Ritchie continued to defend his 911 call, even though Crawford was simply carrying a BB gun picked up off a store shelf, saying that “Even still, it’s a gun in Walmart, in a public place, inducing panic.”
But Ohio has an “open carry” law, meaning that carrying a rifle in public is permissible under the law.
A 37-year-old woman also died, collapsing of heart failure in the panic that ensued in the police shooting of John Crawford in Walmart.
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He should be put in jail. 2 people died due to his lies. He is a racist of the worst kind.
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Both he and his wife are racists. It truly is a deep seated hatred that inspired them to make that call, and the police share his sentiment. Time to start second guessing every thing we do in public.
i dont think it was race. most likely a liberal that doesnt like guns. he just wanted to get a law abiding gun owner in trouble. it was basically a swatting.
Jeff Markle Did you actually read the article? If he was so anti-gun, why did he try to join the Marines? He has a history of lying, and he has already changed his story. I'm really not surprised by the comments in his defense, so many like him out there.
This guy sounds like he's a bit off and has a "hero complex". There are plenty of people out there that want to create drama and put themselves in the middle of it. He's a classic example.
They should hold him responsible for both deaths.
Now he wants to be famous. He shows no remorse and should be locked up with the officers.
This idiot is a racist and needs to be charged with second degree murder.
Marion Wilson anti-gun people want the government to have guns.. many of them also want to be the government. Guns for me, but none for thee.
I hope he rots in hell
He committed murder. Someone died as a result of his actions while he committed a felony(lying to police).
Is open not allowed if you're black? As a black man from Texas that believes in SOME gun rights, this story shows the true nature of how a lot of people feel. It's OK to be in a Walmart, Kroger, or Star Bucks with a loaded rifle if you're white, but better not even hold an airsoft gun if you're black.
I agree look at hulk hogan's son his friend died add a result of an illegal street race and he is in prison.
The cop caller should be held to some degree of responsibility true, but what about the officers, who in my opinion, should be held to the highest standard of accountability, they gunned down a man who had no idea he was being considered armed and dangerous and never had a chance to comply with the officers orders to put down the gun. shoot first ask questions later type of mentality isn't justice its cowardice. if you are a police officer who fears for his life every time you come into these types of situations, then my friend, you are in the wrong line of work.
Exactly, Cori…just like Zimmerman.
I'm so sick! I'm sick of the lies, the lying, and people literally getting away with murder in this country. "Making the video public would be playing with dynamite"?? Really? Why, because the TRUTH might actually be shown? That Ritchie lied and should be held accountable for his actions and the deaths of two people, as should the other murderers of Michael Brown & Trayvon Martin… and so many other folks who have been gunned down…. While innocent people like Marissa Alexander sits in a Florida prison for what? Shooting a WARNING shot inside her own home, against an abusive ex-boyfriend she counted as an intruder? No one was hurt, no one is dead, yet SHE sits in a prison? This country is seriously disturbed & screwed up!
Ronald Ritchie is a MURDERER! He's responsible for murdering two people lock him up NOW!!
That rednack needs to be arrested, along withthe cops who SHOT ON SIGHT. No words, nothing. Just gunned him down based on a lying racist's lie. And his lying skany wife needs to be arrested, too.
Justin Robinson Hogan's son has been out for a while. His friend is still paralysed.
Im from here (dayton Ohio) if you read how dumb the comments are on whiotv fb page. You will see people really just white people supporting the police/killer and the caller. Also they call Crawford a thug!! I wonder how they feel about it now?
Robert Meeker III look at this shit!!!!! tyler got someone killed hahahahah
you couldn't be more spot on, used to work with the guy and he screams 'hero complex'. the kind of guy that would tattle on fellow coworkers to make himself look better. its a god damn shame..
George Hulshult
This guy should spend the rest of his life in prison.
Anyone can call and make an assertion but it's the cops who must be held Accountable for shooting first and asking questions later.
put him in prison where he can tell all the lies he wants to his new boyfriend
It wasn't a toy, it was a pellet gun. They are capable of killing… Just saying
Two people needlessly died, because some Asshole was scared of a Black man carrying a gun in public. Inn a state which ALLOWS people to carry guns in public. I hope the families see justice.
You are wrong about Marissa Alexander. Have you heard the other side?
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-05-16/story/marissa-alexanders-husband-says-it-was-her-violent-nature-led-shooting
You're correct that there are a lot of killings that are just plain wrong, but Marissa Alexander was a crazy woman who recklessly shot a bullet at a man and his children. She deserves to be in jail.
Jeff Markle Wow. That's got to be about the stupidest thing I've ever read.
The justice system does not have to let Ronald Ritchie escape judgement. As a direct result of what he did, two human beings died. That is wrong and justice needs to be served.
This idiot created Chaos that wasn't.! Show the video and hold him accountable. The lost loved one's of both families deserve to sue him for lying to 911.
Why are they treating him like a trustworthy witness anyway – clearly his psyche can't possibly deal with admitting he is responsible for two deaths right now. So go past him and investigate the call, his level of culpability and the officers' actions. LOL but that type of real pursuit of justice only happens on TV process shows, what am i saying.
I believe you
Sad
He is a racist bastard and so is the policeman. He should have tried talking before shooting. Even if he was a threat he could just injure him make the arrest. I guess that would be too much! Lol
Lock him up he lied for know reason. rasist
Isn't it time for Mr. Lying Ass Pigg to roast in hell?! He's had his freedom and what's left of his life! Now it's time for him to fry,…in HELL!!…THE BITCH IS STILL LYING!!!…
holy shit,,oh my god…lock him up and throw away the key..his poor family..to many families let there kids with problems wonder around. they need to be watch.god bless and keep..just to sad.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yea, just like George Zimmerman same type of personality.
Of course. Let's forget this man lied. It was a weapon of mass destruction in an open carry state.
…And he thinks he's getting away with something! Because he thinks he's so clever! The ignorant jackass!!
There should be charges brought up on this guy. But nothing going to happen, whenever you want a person murder, call the police and say the person is waving a gun. Wake up America the police are gunning us down like dogs in the streets. They have no respect for the elderly, can give a rats ass if your handicap. And race, they don't care, and they continue to get away with this. Killing people with their tazers, even tazing an 8 year old girl. Shooting cats in front of little kids. The police had become above the law. Where did all of this come from? All of a sudden bad policeman in every city killing, rape, drugs the list goes on.
i hope he get ebola first
As far as I know, in all those examples of white jackasses walking around with assault rifles in public and taking photos, there were zero 911 calls. This in spite of numerous spree shootings where the perpetrators were white. But hey, America fixed that racism problem back in the 60's or something, right?
Especially indicative his his "ex-Marine" claim. You need to get through basic training, if not your specialty training to be considered a Marine, soldier, etc. In fact real Marines don't even use the term "ex-Marine," preferring "former Marine" instead. Personally I think this distinction is semantics, but it just proves this guy is a wannabe.
He should charged… This should never have been a situation for the police to be called. You, yourself are a murderer and a liar… You had an innocent man kill, because you didn't like or care for him based on his skin color.
And people who lie are more dangerous than the black people these white people are killing. Just gunning black people down and then just make up lies to justify their murder, by claiming they feared for their lives. And yes that white guy who lied should go to jail for causing a mans death for a lie!
That's right if your black do not touch no gun, or you will be shot down!
Edith Parks Yeah, or if you're black and you don't touch any guns or any weapons whatsoever, you can still be shot down. Then the media puts you on trial even though you were the victim.
Von Bailey Ms. Alexander did not shot wildly at no one, she shot thru a wall as a warning shot and Ms. Alexander is not crazy. You need to get your facts right. Then you wish to show the word of her ex husband lying about the case. GET A LIFE!!!!
I said it first folks that they will find that the person who called 911 would be a racist. I said that the very same week this story broke.
Those two cos who shot him ate extremely racist and that Ritchie asshole is as well. Even when confronted with his litres; hee has no choice but to try and save his white pride ego and claim that holding a toy him now"induces panic". Well yeah, to a racist it would.
……… …. ………………………………………………….
Dude, Will, slow down and proof read!
Can hardly understand what you're saying lately.
The lies the covering up can only last for so long the Truth will be set free!
Two people died because of his lying. So sad. I hope he get what he deserve one way or another.
Murder by cop…..
Tell the regardless of whom or what. Because to lie is a serious injustice. He should be given the death penalty.
Mike Dewine is already working on a cover up. If we want change VOTE! Dewine is political pig he will run for and take any thing he can get elected for. Get out to the polls this November and vote him and his buddy Governor out. THIS State Has Gone DOWN Hill WITH Republicans IN control!
Personally, I believe this lying jerk should be charged for 2 counts of second degree murder for his false statements. The ridiculous amount of time, money and effort the police has had to utilize to keep this situation under control with the rightfully upset community should come out of his pocket too.
Its a friggin pellet gun, I wish you would try to kill me with a pellet gun you idiot!!! and it was in a box still and they dont come in the box loaded with co2 attached !!! you are an idiot……just saying.
James Swierczewski This is so true and every week it seems that we are being shot down like the savage animals they proclaim us to be…but let this all be in the reverse and whites were considered minorities in this life..they wouldnt last a day..there's a reason God created us this way because he knew what manner of hate we would face jut like his son Jesus did by those who proclaimed to love God!
Talking bout why would he lie? because hes RACIST clearly. If it was a white man Im sure he would of asked h what was he doing, he waisted no time calling police on a black man. Stupid racist lieing mf
HE Should be charged with Murder and negligence for the death of the Woman who collapsed………The Officers should be charged with Murder…..
The Family should also Sue the Police and this piece of garbage for Wrongful Death……
Von Bailey Agreed this case (Marissa Alexander) is pretty clear but good luck trying to make that point, nobody is willing to read the file but they completely believe the media spin……..SMH
No, John, it isn't. I think John Crawford answered that question for us.
This punk is a racist!!! He did this all on purpose because he knew the outcome!
A pellet gun he was carrying in an OPEN CARRY STATE, I agree with Shawn you are an idiot
I am just going to refuse to believe this story. Because if this is truly what happened its despicable.
Tiffani, "Blacks can't be trusted with the truth." Mentally, we process differently than "normal" people. We have difficulty maintaining emotive neutrality, asserting the "powers of reasoning" and coming to logical conclusions when assessing the facts of a matter. Therefore, there were no such people as Frederick Douglas, Lewis Latimer, George W. Carver, Charles R. Drew, Ben Carson, Athanasius of Alexandria (*"Father of Orthodoxy" famous for his pivotal role in the Nicea Counsel), Martin Luther King, Jr. or Thurgood Marshall. It's resplendently clear in history, that as a collective group, Black people just can't handle the truth!
Duit Wakes So sad… I think it's also more about history, and the fact that Blacks were slaves in this country, once– so no one wants to admit that some of the same behaviors continue today, I would like this not to turn into a race issue, but you have to face the facts… How many other "races" have we read about lately where the victim wasn't black? I'm just so sick of people not calling it what it was.
As far as the Marissa Alexander case- I haven't read anything otherwise. I've read news articles, and nothing said that she harmed anyone… Of course, being up North, this isn't reported every day. I still don't believe she's rightfully being held in prison, especially since [unless the article proves otherwise] that everyone involved is still alive & unharmed… but I'll read his side. Let it be noted that it's not "sistas sticking together" w/me. I try to be as unbiased about it as possible, and lots of times I side w/the males… but in this case, I didn't read about anything that would be just cause for this woman to be incarcerated.
Tiffani Sharice , yeah, from here, it seems like overreach on the part of the prosecution.
Its always someone to defend the person that was wrong..
Steve, a water gun is capable of killing, too, if you swallow it. As is the water inside it, if you inhale it. Don't be consciously ridiculous.
Lying sack of shit. That bitch would probably be dead if they released the video and did not charge him for the bogus ass call.
Jasmine Northman your missing the point, it wasn't a a TOY.
Shawn Lindsayx your a special kind of stupid aren't you! Let's get a pellet gun and I'll prove it's leathality. It wasn't in the box, READ what the story said… fucking people amaze me.
Outraged at this BS!!! His, and his lying arse wife should go to prison for many years. However,Sadly, I see there are those who will justify this..
Jafre-Paul Hicks I have NEVER SEEN anyone in walmart or any other store walk around with a fucking rifle. Stay in Florida PLEASE
a gun in Wal-Mart! oh no!
wait… doesn't Wal-Mart sell guns…?
White guy calls Police to tell them a black guy has a gun, cops show up and shoot black guy, no questions asked, yea sounds about right in the grand USA
Stop indicating that you can't convey your thoughts without cussing at people, Steve Hopkins . The "rifle" was a Walmart product. He was purchasing that product, talking on his mobile as he walked. No one else expressed any sense of threat from him. From all indication, the police did not verbally engage him, before firing on the this man. In fact, they shot him..on sight…in the back. What was the "capable" harm, so egregious that it canceled out John Crawford's right to be properly addressed by law enforcement…to be innocent until proven guilty???
Duit Wakes I forgot that you were there and seen the whole thing. I am not defending the man who called the police I am saying that it was not a TOY! Pellet guns are much more lethal than a water gun. The rifle was NOT a wal mart product. They do not make pellet guns. It was merchandise the store sold. I have lived in Ohio many many years and I've never seen anyone walk around the store with a handgun or rifle… you folks amaze me…
and the police did engage him, as it was reported by his girlfriend on the phone that he said 3 times "it's not real, it's not real" that's when they shot him. Again so glad you were there and witness to all this. I am sure the Greene Co Prosecutor will be getting in touch with you real soon.
here are three things wrong and the first was the caller 911 eye account of the threat is a co-conspirator to murder escalating the threat of the death and second are the officers who acted without warning to take precautionary measure to observe and disarmed the threat but elected to shoot with intent to kill also did not take into consideration people in the store safety. When I first heard the story I had this gut feeling the caller was white and I recalled saying that in the first report, this want to be Marine if he was would have acted and took control but this coward got someone killed and the blood on his hands but it come to white people abusing the patriot act by being a racist and these act should hold criminal penalties. There should no sweeping the lies under the fug Ferguson MO-NYNY – TN- or any where so It come down to an eye for en a eye justice not the bull and hypocrisies sadistic evil whites have handed down to us and we be so slave like forgiving and granting a pass for every sin they committed to us seen to have roll off like water on a duck backs. Our system of justice and so called peers use the biblical words as a wash board instead of being the living word of the god words if they so believe. To me I'm dome with the turning the other cheek to look away at what happen like the do all the time so if you feel what I'm speaking repeat this message every where congress senate state government we're watching you and you will be held accountable .
Steve Hopkins – you're an idiot. It was a BB gun you dick.
Steve Hopkins you are just another gun humping teabag moron. I hope you don't breed.
Steve Hopkins , the video!!…the video, man. All the necessary details pertinent to this tragic scenario have been captured by the Walmart videos. And though the Beavercreek Police have been recalcitrant toward the repeated requests by the community and the media to release that important evidence, those who work at that store have shared their knowledge about the content. And unlike me (or you), they were, indeed, there. But, you still didn't answer my question. If the Walmart security employees' testimony and the footage from the videos agree that this man was not properly engaged by police and further, was shot in the back, on sight, as you would do to a person that's hold up with hostages; some living and some dead, What would explain that??? What would you call that???
Theresa Jackson I don't own guns and I am a Labor Democrat, go find something else to do with your time..
Duit Wakes I would call it murder. and they need to be held accountable. My biggest point is that it was NOT a toy, the weapon looks real, I am not defending the police, but you do that job, with all the active shooter scenarios happening in this country it's a tough job. YOu have a split second to make the right decision, personally I don't think they did. That's up to the court to decide.
And he is not doing life right now for the life he is responsible for having lost why?!!!
Last time I checked making a false report to the police was against the law. And if someone dies due to a commission of a crime that you are involved in, you are supposed to be held responsible.
Steve Hopkins , yes, Sir., you have said well there. It will be very interesting and important, to see this process unfold.
#HeShouldBeSuedAndFormallyPubliclyCharged #HmmmOANIDontHearAny1Calling4ThsGuysHeadButRayRiceIsADifferentStory But hey that ain't none of my business tho!
We'll wait…
Good job ohio my home town. I'm in st Louis Missouri. No justice no peace
Dude need to be held accountable…2 people are dead because of his negligence. I haven't seen his picture but I betcha he's white!
Please tell us when is the last time a pellet gun KILLED someone , when it was still in the packaging and was unloaded….. please…. cause this wild colored man must have been stacking the cops with his back turned and while talking on his mobile.
Steve Google "Walking with Rifle in store" then tell me how many pictures you pull up….You sir are an ignorant fool
Jasmine Northman it was not still in the packaging… you just know everything don't you… https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCYQqQIoADAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fnation-world%2F2014%2F08%2Fboy_12_dies_when_shot_in_head.html&ei=R8IRVKOfDo6myATXioC4Bw&usg=AFQjCNEVzMbrRBPhVfuDcphlqJ7wOcKVpg&bvm=bv.74894050,d.aWw this just happened less than a month ago.. I guess your a special kind of stupid aren't you…
Well said and very true..
I personally have never seen people walking around in a store with a rifle I am sure you can Google many images of such subject, a pellet gun can kill, the pellet gun he had looked like an assault rifle, argue blindly all you want, call me what you will, I stand firm in my opinion that it was a stupid thing to do. Should he have been killed, absolutely not, let's have you play cop and put you in some situations ans see how well you fare Jafre. If it is found they were wrong (the police) then they need to face the penalties, neither of us where there. Given the rise in active shooter scenarios I wouldn't want that job for nothing, that being said we have to have personal responsibility and common sense as citizens. Have a great day.
This guy,be it he wanted to be a hero or has something against open carry.Anybody who has served should have seen the flag when he said ex-Marine,your always a Marine.Still that really does'nt make him a open carry hater,but more so a ignorant assclown who wanted attention.Still does'nt let of the cops who fired on this man from behind and on sight..so did they fear for thier lives from a man who posed no threat?When is a mistake not a mistake,how many people have to die before somebody is held accountable?
He should be charged with murder. In another incident the police was shooting at a suspect and accidently hit an innocent bystander and she died. the police charged the suspect with her murder. this dude should be charged with murder.