Midwest mother, 44, and her daughter, 13, are shot dead by her ex who then killed himself

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 00:52, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 00:57, 9 July 2026 A Midwest mother and her teen daughter were shot dead by her ex-boyfriend in brutal fashion before he took his own life. Realtor and mom-of-two Christine McWilliams, 44, and her daughter McKinley, 13, were killed by Brandon Fazekas, 38, around 9.54pm on Sunday in Rittman, Ohio, about 45 miles south of Cleveland. Rittman Police Department officers said they had responded to a 911 call reporting a break-in and shots fired at 90 Chippewa Trail. When officers arrived, they were immediately shot at by Fazekas, who was identified as McWilliams' ex-boyfriend. Fazekas was later found dead inside the home, along with his former partner and her teen daughter. Luke Reynolds, the chief investigator for the Wayne County Coroner's Office, said Fazekas had a gunshot wound 'consistent with suicide,' FOX8 reported. During the confrontation, Fazekas also shot and killed Sgt. Scott Ries from the Rittman police. Ries was a 10-year veteran whose death marked the department's first ever line-of-duty death. Christine McWilliams, 44, and her daughter McKinley, 13, were fatally shot by the former's ex-boyfriend Brandon Fazekas, 38, around 9.54pm on Sunday in Rittman, Ohio Fazekas, McWilliams' former partner, was found dead inside the home at 90 Chippewa Trail with a gunshot wound 'consistent with suicide' Sgt. Scott Ries from the Rittman Police Department was shot and killed by Fazekas on Sunday, as well A neighbor, Tim Hershman, claimed he started hearing the gunfire ring out around 9.30pm on Sunday. 'In total there was probably around 70 to 75 shots the whole entire time,' Hershman told WOIO. Hershman called the murder-suicide 'absolutely shocking,' describing the home as being riddled with bullet holes after the shooting. The neighbor claimed that McWilliams and Fazekas had fallen out in the months prior. 'They broke up about two months ago,' Hershman told the outlet. 'She had her locks changed about three weeks ago.' The neighbor added: 'They seemed to be a nice family when they were getting along, but I think something happened to his mind. He just flipped out.' Hershman alleged Fazekas did not get along with McWilliams' son, who was not home at the time. He claimed that Fazekas worked in construction and moved dirt with heavy equipment, seeming like a 'very nice guy' before the shooting. Photos on public social media profiles showed McWilliams and Fazekas together over the years.  Fazekas had previous arrests in Wayne and Medina counties, according to FOX8.  He was previously charged with breaking and entering, vandalism and forgery in Medina County. Fazekas also had a probation violation, which led to a 148-day jail sentence.  In Wayne County, Fazekas had faced minor charges including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and speeding.  McWilliams and Fazekas (middle) were pictured togther over the years. This photo is from July 2020 Donations are being raised for McWilliams' son, Landon (pictured with his mother and sister), who a neighbor claimed did not get along with Fazekas Rittman Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting a break-in and shots fired at 90 Chippewa Trail shortly before 10pm Sunday A GoFundMe started for McWilliams' family identified her son as Landon, who a family friend wrote was now 'facing the future without his mother and sister.' Expenses were being raised for the mother and daughter's funeral expenses, as well as to provide support for Landon going forward. As of Wednesday evening, the fundraiser had raised about $10,700 of its initial $16,000 goal. A separate GoFundMe, started by one of Landon's friends, said he had experienced an 'unimaginable tragedy.' 'Landon is facing not only the emotional toll of losing his loved ones, but also the stress of trying to manage daily life and financial responsibilities during this difficult time,' the fundraiser read. Donations were also being raised to help cover funeral expenses, counseling and possible time off from work. That fundraiser had raised about $11,400 from its $20,000 goal. On Monday evening, crowds stood in front of the McWilliams' home, which has now been decorated with flowers and handwritten signs showing support. McKinley, 13, was found dead inside her home at the Rittman home, roughly 45 miles south of Cleveland The damage to the home on Chippewa Trail after the fatal shooting was so extensive that it required restoration workers at the scene (pictured) Community members gathered for a candlelight vigil held in remembrance of Rittman Police Sgt. Scott Ries on Monday A public obituary for Ries said he joined the Rittman Police Department in 2015 and was survived by his wife, Michelle, and two daughters. In addition to Ries, four Medina County sheriff's deputies who responded to the call were also shot. Hershman said Fazekas had been taking aim at police from the upstairs bedroom window, according to FOX8. Two deputies were taken to a hospital for treatment, while the other two were treated at the scene. A K-9, named Vick, was also injured after bullet fragments hit his back, near his spine and chest, according to WKYC. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said the police dog had been released from Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. Rittman mayor Charles Rudy Arnold said the last week had been 'the hardest days our city has known in a very long time.' 'Three lives that were woven into this community, gone in a way that none of us will ever fully make sense of,' Arnold said. 'Our hearts are with the Ries family, with the McWilliams family and with everyone who loved them.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which is investigating the case, for comment.