An Ohio man is accused of murdering his grandmother just days before allegedly killing a Cleveland police officer.
On June 28, Delawnte Hardy, 24, was staying with his grandmother, Beatrice Porter, 63, in Garfield Heights, Ohio, when he stole her revolver and shot her in the head, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors claim Hardy then fled the scene on his grandfather’s bike. Porter was discovered the next morning by a family member and rushed to the hospital, where she died a few days later.
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Early on July 4, police received a call reporting that Hardy was at a Cleveland residence. According to prosecutors, officers arrived on the scene and focused a spotlight on the property. Officer Jamieson Ritter began directing Hardy via a megaphone, according to the prosecutor’s office, which also said that Hardy attempted to exit out the back door with the bicycle, revolver, and two swords.
Prosecutors allege that while authorities attempted to apprehend Hardy, he fired four shots, one of which injured Ritter, who was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. Hardy was later accused of three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, one act of murder, four counts of felonious assault, and numerous other lesser crimes, according to a copy of the indictment reviewed by PEOPLE.
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It is unclear whether Hardy has entered a plea or retained an attorney.
“In a week, Delawnte Hardy caused unimaginable damage and grief to two families, our law enforcement community, and our entire region,” Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley said in a statement. “My office will work with these two families step by step to ensure that justice is done. My thoughts and prayers are with anyone affected by this awful circumstance.”