Justice Update: Officer Who Fatally Shot Tamir Rice Fired from West Virginia Resort Ranger Position Amid Public Outcry
Timothy Loehmann fired West Virginia, Tamir Rice shooting officer terminated, Snowshoe Resort ranger job, police accountability news, and Tamir Rice family reaction are topping searches as another community rejects the controversial former Cleveland cop just weeks before the holidays.
Another chapter closes in a long-running saga of police accountability. Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014, has been terminated from his armed ranger position at the Snowshoe Resort Community District in West Virginia, following swift public backlash after his hiring became known.
The Snowshoe Resort Community District (SRCD) board voted unanimously on December 19, 2025, to fire Loehmann effective immediately during an emergency meeting. The decision came mere days after a report by Dragline, an ACLU-affiliated publication, revealed that Loehmann had been quietly hired as a ranger in June 2025. The board also committed to reviewing and improving its hiring policies at their next meeting on January 2, 2026.
Loehmann’s employment history has been marked by repeated attempts to return to law enforcement, only to face community opposition. This marks at least the fourth time since 2018 that he has left or been removed from a police-related role due to public outcry. Previous incidents include withdrawing from a part-time position in Bellaire, Ohio (2018); resigning as the sole officer in Tioga, Pennsylvania (2022); and stepping down from a probationary role in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia (2024), where the hiring chief also resigned.
The original incident occurred on November 22, 2014, at Cleveland’s Cudell Recreation Center. Tamir Rice, a Black sixth-grader, was playing alone with a pellet gun when a caller reported a “guy with a pistol” to 911, noting it was “probably fake.” Loehmann, then a rookie officer, shot Tamir within seconds of arriving on scene. The boy died the following day. No criminal charges were filed against Loehmann or his partner, but Cleveland settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the Rice family for $6 million in 2016. Loehmann was fired from the Cleveland Police Department in 2017—not for the shooting itself—but for lying on his job application by omitting that a prior department had deemed him unfit for duty.
Samaria Rice, Tamir’s mother, expressed relief through her attorney, Subodh Chandra of the Chandra Law Firm. “I still don’t understand how anyone can ever possibly hire Timothy Loehmann,” she said in a statement. “I am happy that the community stood up once again, and I’m grateful for all of that support because I wouldn’t want another child to experience what Tamir and our family experienced. It’s a life-changing experience—and not for the better.” Chandra added that repeated hirings cause ongoing distress to the family and called Loehmann’s persistence “pathological.”
Civil rights advocates and experts have highlighted broader issues. The ACLU of West Virginia’s report underscored concerns over background checks in small departments. “This pattern raises serious questions about vetting processes in rural law enforcement,” noted one commentator. Public reactions on social media echoed frustration, with many praising the quick reversal while others demanded stronger national standards to prevent such hirings.
For U.S. readers, this story hits hard amid ongoing national conversations about police reform, racial justice, and accountability—issues amplified by the Black Lives Matter movement sparked in part by cases like Tamir’s. In communities across states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, it affects trust in local law enforcement and taxpayer liability. For families, especially those with children playing outdoors, it serves as a painful reminder of safety concerns and the need for better training on de-escalation and toy weapons.
Reports indicate Loehmann was also hired by the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office in August 2025, but his current status there remains unclear as officials have not responded to inquiries.
The incident continues to fuel debates on second chances versus public safety. As the 11th anniversary of Tamir’s death approaches, advocates push for lasting changes to prevent similar tragedies.
In reflecting on recent developments, the Timothy Loehmann fired West Virginia case tied to the Tamir Rice shooting officer termination at Snowshoe Resort ranger job reinforces calls for police accountability news. With Tamir Rice family reaction trending, communities remain vigilant against repeated risks.
By Sam Michael
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