Topline: Prosecutors say a Cleveland man intentionally drove into a flag football referee, prompting a new attempted murder indictment.
Published: May 22, 2026 2:00 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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CLEVELAND, OH — A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted 19-year-old Timothy Ruble on attempted murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence charges after authorities said he intentionally drove his car into a flag football referee at Brookside Reservation.
According to cleveland.com, the confrontation happened May 3 after Ruble got into an argument with several referees. Police said the dispute escalated and Ruble intentionally drove at one of the officials.
Investigators said Ruble struck the victim and caused grievous injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Police also alleged that after the collision he hid his car behind his father’s business.
Ruble told police the referee was blocking his path and reaching for a weapon. His attorney, Michael Goldberg, has previously said Ruble believed the victim and others with him were brandishing guns.
But a spokesperson for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said prosecutors are unaware of any firearm involvement in the incident.
The attempted murder count is new. When Ruble was first arraigned in Cleveland Municipal Court, he faced only felonious assault and evidence tampering charges, and the court set bond at $30,000, which he posted on May 5.
Because of the upgraded charge, prosecutors said they plan to seek a higher bond. Ruble is scheduled to be arraigned May 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Teen Accused of Deliberately Running Over Flag Football Referee Now Faces Attempted Murder Charge
Prosecutors say a Cleveland man intentionally drove into a flag football referee, prompting a new attempted murder indictment.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: May 22, 2026 2:00 pm ET
CLEVELAND, OH — A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted 19-year-old Timothy Ruble on attempted murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence charges after authorities said he intentionally drove his car into a flag football referee at Brookside Reservation.
According to cleveland.com, the confrontation happened May 3 after Ruble got into an argument with several referees. Police said the dispute escalated and Ruble intentionally drove at one of the officials.
Investigators said Ruble struck the victim and caused grievous injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Police also alleged that after the collision he hid his car behind his father’s business.
Ruble told police the referee was blocking his path and reaching for a weapon. His attorney, Michael Goldberg, has previously said Ruble believed the victim and others with him were brandishing guns.
But a spokesperson for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said prosecutors are unaware of any firearm involvement in the incident.
The attempted murder count is new. When Ruble was first arraigned in Cleveland Municipal Court, he faced only felonious assault and evidence tampering charges, and the court set bond at $30,000, which he posted on May 5.
Because of the upgraded charge, prosecutors said they plan to seek a higher bond. Ruble is scheduled to be arraigned May 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Teen Accused of Deliberately Running Over Flag Football Referee Now Faces Attempted Murder Charge
Prosecutors say a Cleveland man intentionally drove into a flag football referee, prompting a new attempted murder indictment.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: May 22, 2026 2:00 pm ET
CLEVELAND, OH — A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted 19-year-old Timothy Ruble on attempted murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence charges after authorities said he intentionally drove his car into a flag football referee at Brookside Reservation.
According to cleveland.com, the confrontation happened May 3 after Ruble got into an argument with several referees. Police said the dispute escalated and Ruble intentionally drove at one of the officials.
Investigators said Ruble struck the victim and caused grievous injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Police also alleged that after the collision he hid his car behind his father’s business.
Ruble told police the referee was blocking his path and reaching for a weapon. His attorney, Michael Goldberg, has previously said Ruble believed the victim and others with him were brandishing guns.
But a spokesperson for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office said prosecutors are unaware of any firearm involvement in the incident.
The attempted murder count is new. When Ruble was first arraigned in Cleveland Municipal Court, he faced only felonious assault and evidence tampering charges, and the court set bond at $30,000, which he posted on May 5.
Because of the upgraded charge, prosecutors said they plan to seek a higher bond. Ruble is scheduled to be arraigned May 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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