Full Breakdown
Timothy Loehmann Fired from West Virginia Ranger Position
12/22/2025, 2:12:49 AM
Overview of the Firing
Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014, has been terminated from his role as a ranger with the Snowshoe Resort Community District (SRCD) in West Virginia. The board of directors announced the unanimous decision following a meeting on December 19, 2025, stating that Loehmann is no longer employed by the SRCD effective immediately. This decision comes after civil rights attorney Subodh Chandra, representing Rice's mother, Samaria Rice, publicly criticized Loehmann's hiring by the SRCD and the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office earlier in the year.
Background on Tamir Rice's Case
Tamir Rice was shot by Loehmann on November 22, 2014, while playing with an airsoft gun outside the Cudell Recreation Center in Cleveland. The incident sparked significant public outcry regarding police conduct, particularly concerning the treatment of Black individuals. Although Loehmann and his partner were not charged criminally, he was later fired from the Cleveland Division of Police in 2017 for providing false information on his job application, not for the shooting itself. The city of Cleveland settled a lawsuit with the Rice family for $6 million.
Criticism of Loehmann's Hiring
Subodh Chandra expressed deep concern over Loehmann's repeated employment in law enforcement roles despite his history. He stated, “Every time Timothy Loehmann is misentrusted with a badge and a gun... it makes Samaria Rice and her grieving family distraught.” Chandra emphasized the need for accountability among public officials who hire individuals with Loehmann's background. Samaria Rice echoed these sentiments, questioning the judgment of those who would employ Loehmann and expressing gratitude for community support that led to his firing.
Timeline of Events
- November 22, 2014: Tamir Rice is shot by Timothy Loehmann in Cleveland.
- 2017: Loehmann is fired from the Cleveland Division of Police for lying on his job application.
- 2018: Loehmann briefly hired by a police department in southeast Ohio but resigns amid backlash.
- 2022: Loehmann becomes the lone police officer in Tioga, Pennsylvania, but leaves after public criticism.
- 2025: Loehmann is hired by the SRCD and the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office, only to be fired by the SRCD on December 19.
Official Statements & Responses
Following Loehmann's termination, Chandra stated that the decision should not have been necessary, highlighting the systemic issues surrounding Loehmann's repeated hiring. Samaria Rice has called for accountability from those responsible for Loehmann's hiring, indicating that similar actions should be taken against officials in West Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where a police chief resigned after hiring him.
What's Next
Samaria Rice has indicated that several organizations, including the local NAACP chapter, are mobilizing to organize protests in response to Loehmann's hiring history and the broader implications for police accountability. The SRCD plans to revisit its hiring policies in an upcoming board meeting scheduled for January 2, 2026.
