Riverside 911 caller said suspect had gun, hostages in her home

The woman was coming home from work when she found the armed suspect in her home and was able to get outside and call 911, said Chief Frank Robinson.

Sgt. James Vance was the first officer on the scene in the 2500 block of Rondowa Avenue about 43 seconds after dispatch received the 911 call. The woman pointed Vance toward the home and the suspect began firing at the sergeant shortly after.

Vance and the suspect exchanged gunfire for about 30 seconds before the suspect fled on foot, according to police.

Vance and a second officer searched for the suspect separately as more crews responded and started setting up a perimeter.

The second officer saw the suspect go behind a home in the 200 block of North Pleasant Valley Avenue and radioed other officers to direct them to the suspect’s location.

The officer then heard a single gunshot fired, according to police. When crews approached the backyard, they found the suspect on the ground with a gunshot wound to his head.

Officers requested medics and provided aid to the suspect. He was transported to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died. Police recovered two guns from the suspect, Robinson said.

Vance, who has served with the Riverside Police Department for more than 20 years, is the only officer who fired his gun during the incident. He will be on administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard procedure, according to police.

Robinson said he believed Vance acted correctly in firing at the suspect and was glad no one else was injured during the incident.

“I think it saved his life and other people’s lives as well,” Robinson said.

Wallace was previously convicted of aggravated robbery and kidnapping. He was released from prison in October and is believed to be connected to other recent crimes, Robinson said. Details on the additional incidents were not released, but are all under investigation.

It is not clear if Wallace was known to the 911 caller or anyone who was held inside the home.

The last time Riverside police had an officer-involved shooting was in 2019, Robinson said.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations was requested to investigate the shooting and burglary.