UNITED STATES. Ohio: The Blendon Police Department has made public body camera footage capturing a tragic incident in which an officer shot and killed a pregnant Black woman in a grocery store parking lot.
The incident, which occurred two weeks ago, unfolded when the woman refused to exit her vehicle and instead bumped the officer with her car.
Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old woman, was at the center of this incident that has raised significant concerns. The released video has led to calls for accountability from the officer involved.
Blendon Police Chief John Belford explained, “A theft suspect drove her car into one of my officers, and the officer fired a single shot through the windshield.”
However, Young’s family attorney, Sean Walton, argued that she was a victim and demanded accountability for both Ta’Kiya and her unborn daughter. He made this statement during a press conference on Thursday.
The tragic incident occurred in Blendon Township, located approximately 15 miles northeast of Columbus, Ohio’s capital. Police confronted Young after an employee reported her involvement in a liquor shoplifting incident.
In the publicly released video, an officer is seen standing beside Young’s vehicle, repeatedly instructing her to exit. Another officer approaches from the front, pointing a firearm at the windshield and urging her to leave the vehicle.
Young is observed turning her vehicle’s wheels to the right, away from the officer, just before the vehicle starts moving toward him. The officer places his left hand on the hood while keeping his right hand on his drawn gun. The vehicle struck him in the leg as he fired a single shot at the windshield. This entire encounter lasted 25 seconds.
Sadly, Young later passed away at a nearby hospital, and her unborn baby daughter did not survive either.
Although the department has not disclosed the identities of the officers involved, they have been placed on administrative leave. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is currently conducting the inquiry.
Also Read: Tragic Ohio Incident: Police Report Father ‘Executes’ Three Young Sons with Rifle
