The Rittman, Ohio, community came together on Monday, July 13, to support the families affected by the tragic July 5 shooting that claimed the lives of Sgt. Scott Ries, Christine McWilliams, and 13-year-old McKinley McWilliams, while also honoring the officers injured in the incident.
The community fundraiser, held at Fritz Park in Rittman, was organized by Amanda Nelson, executive director of the Rittman Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the owner of The Best Spudz food truck. The event brought together food trucks, vendors, and residents, with participating businesses agreeing to donate a portion of their proceeds to benefit the families impacted by the tragedy.
“We feel like everybody affected needs to be helped in some way,” Nelson said during the event, emphasizing the importance of supporting not only the families of those who lost their lives but also the officers recovering from their injuries.
More than a week after the shooting, residents gathered not only to raise funds but also to find comfort in one another. Nelson described the community’s response as an important part of the healing process.
“I think community is the best medicine for things like this. It’s just the camaraderie and everything that just comes together in just being with people really helps,” she said.
Among those attending were Linda Corp and Renae Armstrong, neighbors of the Ries family who said the tragedy struck especially close to home.
Corp, who has lived next to the Ries family for many years, remembered Sgt. Scott Ries as a kind and dependable neighbor who was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever someone needed assistance.
“We’ve tried to go to every event to show our support, with the GoFundMe and different things that have gone on in the community,” Corp said. “The love Rittman has for this family and for the two, the mother and daughter, is just amazing. It is ‘Rittman Strong.'”
Armstrong echoed those sentiments, describing the town’s response as a powerful example of community unity.
“It’s just an incredible support system. I don’t know how else you get through something like this other than just coming together and hopefully becoming stronger,” she said.
According to organizers, the event exceeded expectations, drawing a strong turnout from residents eager to support the victims’ families and demonstrate the resilience of the Rittman community.
As Rittman continues to mourn the loss of Sgt. Scott Ries, Christine McWilliams, and McKinley McWilliams, residents remain committed to standing together, honoring their memories, and supporting everyone affected by the tragedy. The fundraiser reflected the town’s enduring spirit of compassion and solidarity, reinforcing the message that, in difficult times, community remains one of the strongest sources of healing.