Robert Tenbrink, a 45-year-old white man, died on January 11, 2016, in Cincinnati, OH. He was involved in two armed robberies at Walgreens and Deals stores in West Price Hill. During these robberies, Tenbrink used a realistic-looking Daisy BB pistol to threaten the cashiers and steal money. Shortly after the robberies, Cincinnati police officers Andrea Harmon and Kevin Manz found Tenbrink walking near Sunset Avenue.
Tenbrink, who had a tracheotomy and did not speak, was ordered to lie down and stop reaching for his pockets. When he reached for the BB gun and pointed it at the officers, they both fired at him, and he was shot at least once in the face. The officers recovered the BB gun and the stolen money at the scene.
There were no arrests, suspects, or litigations related to Tenbrink's death. The officers involved, Harmon and Manz, were placed on administrative leave but were later cleared of any wrongdoing. Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac and Mayor John Cranley both stated that the officers acted appropriately and in accordance with their training.
In summary, Robert Tenbrink's death was the result of a police shooting following his armed robberies and the perceived threat he posed to the officers with the BB gun.
