Ohio police have released body-camera video that shows officers interacting with Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant 21-year-old woman, for about one minute before an Officer fired a single shot through her windshield.
The incident occurred at the parking lot of a Kroger grocery store in Blendon Township, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, on August 24, 2023.
Blendon Township Police Officers approached Young and questioned her for alleged shoplifting after the store employee told them that she was among several people who had stolen alcohol from the store.
The video showed one of the Officers at Young’s driver’s side window repeatedly telling her to get out of the car.
“They said you stole something, don’t leave. Get out of the car,” the officer says.
“For what?” she responds twice, adding: “I’m not going to do that.” Young can be heard saying as the two argue back and forth for about a minute.
“Get out of the f**king car,” another Officer standing in front of the car says, his gun drawn, and his left hand braced on the hood of the car, the video shows.
As she tried to drive away, one of the Officers fired a single shot into the windshield of her car. She died of her injuries, and her unborn baby did not make it either.
The Officer who fired the shot has been placed on administrative leave, while the other has been returned to duty.
Police say the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation of the shooting.
According to Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford, “When Ms. Young drove her car directly at Officer #1, striking him, Officer #1 became a victim of attempted vehicular assault. Because Ms. Young is deceased, charges obviously cannot be filed, but – under state law – the crime victim status of Officer #1 remains.
“Officer #2. When Ms. Young pulled away from Officer #2 while his hand and part of his arm were still in the driver’s side window, Officer #2 became a victim of misdemeanor assault. Because Ms. Young is deceased, charges obviously cannot be filed but – under state law – the crime victim status of Office #2 remains.”
He added that because the officers have not expressly waived their rights as a victim of crime, the department must follow state law and has redacted their identities and identifying attributes.
Walton + Brown LLP, the law firm representing Young’s family, said in a statement that her death was “not only avoidable but also a gross misuse of power and authority.”
“Her tragic passing has left a void that words can’t describe, especially for her two young sons, who must now grow up without the love and guidance of their mother, and while coming to understand the circumstances that led to her homicide.”
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