Christie McWilliams and her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley, were remembered for their devotion to family, friendships, sports and music.
RITTMAN, Ohio — Hundreds of relatives, friends and community members gathered Saturday at Rittman United Methodist Church to honor Christie McWilliams and her 13-year-old daughter, McKinley, six days after they were killed in a shooting at their home.
The July 11 services offered a small northeast Ohio community another chance to grieve after four people died during the July 5 violence. Rittman police Sgt. Scott Ries was also killed while responding to the home, and authorities identified Brandon Fazekas as the suspected shooter. Four other law enforcement officers and a police dog were injured during the response.
Calling hours for Christie and McKinley were held from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at the church. Their ashes were to be buried at Rittman Cemetery. The service came one day after Ries, a 10-year member of the Rittman Police Department, was laid to rest following a procession through the city.
Christie McWilliams, 43, worked in medical credentialing and as a real estate agent with Howard Hanna. Her obituary said she attended Rittman High School and later earned credentials as a licensed practical nurse from the University of Mount Union. Above all, relatives said, she found her greatest happiness in raising and supporting her children.
She regularly cheered for McKinley at softball and volleyball games and shared a close relationship with her daughter. The two also loved country music and built lasting memories during trips together, according to their obituaries. Christie is also survived by a son, Landon.
McKinley attended Norwayne Middle School, where friends remembered her as joyful, funny and energetic. She played softball and volleyball and valued the friendships she made through her teams. Away from sports, she enjoyed drawing, creating artwork and making videos. Her obituary also described her close bond with her brother and her affection for the family’s cats.
One of McKinley’s friends told Cleveland television station WOIO that the girls became close through softball and shared many laughs. The friend remembered McKinley as someone who brought jokes and happiness into the classroom and showed skill on the softball field.
The mother and daughter died after officers were called to a Rittman home for a reported break-in and gunfire shortly before 10 p.m. July 5. Authorities said responding officers came under immediate fire. Ries was killed, while three Medina County sheriff’s deputies and a Hinckley police officer were injured. Two officers were hospitalized in stable condition, and the others were treated at the scene.
Authorities identified Fazekas as Christie’s former partner. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said he died from gunshot wounds consistent with suicide. Investigators have not released a final account explaining the full sequence of events or all the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The shooting led to a week of public mourning across Rittman. Residents placed flowers and other tributes at memorials, lined streets during funeral processions and attended gatherings supporting the affected families. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags lowered at public buildings in Wayne County and several state locations until sunset on the day of Ries’ funeral.
Community members also organized fundraisers for the McWilliams and Ries families. Events included a cookout, bake sale and food truck rally. Friends created commemorative shirts reflecting Christie and McKinley’s shared love of country music and McKinley’s interest in softball.
The investigation into the shooting remains active. Authorities have not announced any additional suspects, and officials have not released a complete investigative finding detailing what led to the gunfire.
Author note: Last updated July 12, 2026.