Investigation Into Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Findlay Closed

(From the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office)

Hancock County Prosecutor Sean M. Abbott announced that the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office has concluded its review of the officer-involved critical incident that occurred on October 22, 2025 at 1642 Cherry Lane, in Findlay that resulted in the death of 90-year-old Robert Norton. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted the case investigation and presented all the evidence to the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office for its review. “After careful review of all the facts and evidence, I have concluded that the application of the use of deadly force by City of Findlay Police Officers Ryan Hackworth and John Schmidt was objectively reasonable under the circumstances as defined by Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985) and Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989). Therefore, our office will not be presenting this matter to the Hancock County grand jury and this investigation will be considered closed,” Abbott said.

On October 22, 2025, Findlay Police Department officers were dispatched to 1649 Cherry Lane, Findlay, Ohio to investigate a 911 call of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers determined that the phone call originated from 1642 Cherry Lane and approached the home to investigate.

While approaching the home, an unknown male, later determined to be Robert Norton, is seen on police body worn camera footage opening the front door of the residence and pointing what appeared to be a handgun directly at Officer Schmidt, then directly at Officer Hackworth. In response, Officer Schmidt fired four rounds while Officer Hackworth fired approximately three rounds. Mr. Norton was struck twice in the torso and once in the thigh. Through the investigation, the firearm brandished by Norton was determined to be a Daisy Phantom BB/Pellet Handgun. During a crime scene search and through further investigation, Norton was found to have left a suicide note on the counter in the residence and it was further determined Norton had recently attempted additional efforts to end his own life.

Norton was treated at the scene by the Findlay Police Department, the Findlay Fire Department, and Hanco EMS. Norton was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay where he succumbed to his injuries.