Death by Cop 2021-2025
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William Ritchie
Age : 67
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 08/06/2024
Location : 4400 block of Cypress Pond Court
City : Pasadena
County : Harris
State : Texas
Agency : Pasadena Police Department
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police in shootout
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/02/2024, Pasadena Police responded to a 911 call from a woman in her 70s who reported that her husband, 67-year-old William Ritchie, was assaulting her inside their home in the 4400 block of Cypress Pond Court. Dispatchers could hear the assault occurring during the call. When officers arrived, they encountered the injured woman outside the residence. Police stated they were familiar with Ritchie from previous contacts involving firearms and knew he had access to a gun. Officers approached the residence using a ballistic shield. According to police, Ritchie opened fire on the officers from inside the home, striking the ballistic shield. One officer returned fire, striking Ritchie in the abdomen. Officers withdrew and established a perimeter while the Pasadena Police SWAT Team responded. SWAT officers later entered the residence and found Ritchie on the floor with a handgun nearby. He was transported to a hospital, where he died on 08/04/2024 from his injuries. Before his death, police had filed two felony assault charges related to the attack on his wife and were preparing an attempted capital murder charge for allegedly shooting at the responding officers. The Harris County District Attorney's Office and the Pasadena Police Department investigated the shooting. Publicly available reporting did not identify the officer who fired or announce any criminal charges or disciplinary action against the officer.
